Saving Axion

Saving axion

I rubbed my eyes with my index and thumb. It was another late night at the lab. I was studying various fungal samples. I loved my job, but the field of mycology was a tiring one. With one more glance at the microscope slide. with a particularly interesting fungus under it named Nannizziopsis guarroi. I sighed, rubbing my eyes again. I was too tired to properly document this species of fungus putting the slide down.

I gathered my things and headed home. Hoping fresh eyes in the morning would help. It was rainy and dark outside. the headlights of cars and the glare of streetlights. Lit the night of the city. Walking down the streets I reached my apartment.

Walking into my apartment. Everything was neat and orderly. Not a thing out of place from when I left it this morning. I plugged my phone in and laid it on my nightstand, heading for a shower.

I tilted my face into the almost too hot stream of water. Picking up the soap and washing my body. I found myself drifting to thoughts of a fantasy. An indistinct male figure would be eyeing me. As I showered and washed. He would watch me for a short time. I thought as my fingers drifted down, stroking the top of my pelvis. Slowly they slid downwards, making a V. With two of my fingers I gently rubbed. The lips of the ether side of my pussy. enjoying the tingles it sent through my body. He then would give me a boyish smile. As he sidles up in front of me. Leaning down, placing a hand on either side of my body, our eyes meeting. His gaze intense, eyes dilating.

I gently bring the V back up over my pelvis. Then taking one finger to rub the hood over my clit. Gently feeling the nub hardening and peaking out from under its hood. Even with the water pounding my skin. I could feel the slickness build between my legs. The figure would then dip his head down lower. When I couldn't stand his gaze anymore. I would drop my eyes, and he then would put a hand under my chin. Forcing me to keep looking into his. Then he would gently lean in to give me a kiss, making my heart pound.

My fingers speeding up over my clit. Making my legs start to quiver. The closeness of another, the intimacy of the kiss. The want portrayed in his body language and face. Made my heart ache in longing. My pussy throbbed at how hot it all was. I would then open my eyes, letting them drift downwards. Just to see his member erect a physical manifestation of his desire for me. His breaking of the kiss to whisper in my ear. Almost tickling it, "Would you like it if I fucked you right here right now?" "Pressing you flat against the wall, taking you," he said in a silken purr, "would you like to feel my hardened flesh slider into your soft puffy one?" He said with a teasing smile playing on his lips

I was close, very close; I imagined him then. Knocking my legs apart with his knee and then pressing it between my legs. "Just like this?" He purred, lifting his knee slightly to dig it more into my pussy. My legs trembled and I gasped as I finally climaxed. Opening my eyes, not realizing I had closed them. I was leaning against the shower wall. to keep from falling over I moved my hand away. From where it had been stroking my pussy. I finished washing up and hopped out of the shower.

Padding over to my nightstand and picking up my phone. I looked at the time. Muttering about the early start I had for tomorrow. Climbing into bed, I fell asleep. In the night I had a dream. I felt like I was lost everything dark and cold. I tried to move but felt like I was trying to move through molasses. Panic was starting to set in. Heart pounding in my chest till I realized. It was a dream; it had to be, I reasoned. Relaxing, it became easier to move. Like a weight had been taken off my chest. Everything was still dark and cold. I still felt lost. But I was lighter in a way. I looked around and saw a ray of light in the distance.

Slowly I waded over to it. As I got closer and closer, the light became brighter and brighter. Till it was too bright for my eyes, and I had to shield them. I awoke with a start, my heart pounding in my ears. I rubbed my eyes and looked around. The room was dark; nothing seemed immediately out of the ordinary. I settled back into bed. After a few minutes I realized I should see what time it was. As I still had work, I reached over to my nightstand. I felt around for my phone. It wasn't there, frowning to myself. I looked around in the dim light. Did I leave it in my coat pocket, I thought? But I was sure I plugged it in on my nightstand. I debated briefly if it was really worth it. Getting out of my all so perfectly cozy bed. To just see if yes, I was late. Yes, I had to rush out the door. But unfortunately having bills to pay was a great motivator. Sighing, I slide out of bed. My bare feet touching the cold floor. Padding towards the door, I glance out the window.

As I passed it, I muttered, "It's still dark out; I can see the stars," fishing around in the dark looking for my jacket. As I didn't feel like dealing with the harsh fluorescent bulb light. I tried to find where I thought I hung it up. But to my great annoyance it wasn't there. Feeling across the wall next to the door. Where the light switch should be. It wasn't there, turning back to my bedside table. I padded over to turn on my lamp. To see if it would aid. In the search for my jacket and subsequently my phone. But then something caught my attention, and I stood stock still.

What I hadn't noticed before. Was that the stars were gently rotating. They were rotating and slowly coming into view. Was a huge grey-white expanse. Slowly padding over to the window. As more and more of it came into view. My eyes as huge as the planet before me. My silhouette in front of the window. Was bathed in the full silver glow. It was the moon?! My face and front a-washed in its light. as my back was bathed in absolute shadow. I stood in front of the window, all thoughts of being late. Of annoyance, about where I had put my phone, it faded in that instance.

I sat down on the floor in front of the window. Watching the moon as it slowly rotated away from my view. When it had faded and the night sky was nothing more than inky blackness studded with twinkling lights. I blinked and then swallowed. Had I just for real seen the moon? Not a photo. Not a video. But the real moon?! I padded over to my nightstand. Flicking on my bedside lamp. Then walking back over and pressing my face against the window. I saw bits of metal structures that seemed like a space station.

It was rotating in sync with my room. Am I in a space station? Like on the international one? I thought to myself, looking around my room. I saw it was made of a light grey metal. There were two doors, one close to my bed and the other the opposite of it. I went up to the door closest to my bed. I startle back as it opens automatically with a hiss. Inside it looked like a standard bathroom. All made from the same grey metal. Black towels hung from a towel rack with a mirror above the sink. leaving the bathroom behind me I hear the hiss of the door closing. I approached the other door, and it too automatically opened.

Outside was a cleanly lit hallway made out of the same grey metal as my room. In either direction I looked, it was the same endlessness with a gentle curve to each hallway. I walked back to the centre of my room; the door hissing closed behind me. I started to pace, weighing my options. I could leave the room. But what if whoever was out there wasn't friendly? What if I wasn't supposed to be here? I mean, of course, I'm not supposed to be here. Here?! In space!. On what appears to be a futuristic space station. Then my thoughts went the other way. What if I was the only thing or person here? I imagined dying alone here in the cold abyss of space. My heart twinged at alone. Looking out the window again, I ask myself, what happened? How did I get here? I kept pacing around my room in circles till I wore myself out. Eventually deciding I'll stay here in my room rather than go out. I was afraid of whatever reality would meet me.

So I waited for hours, maybe days, for a sign. For anything at all. In that time I tried going back to sleep to see if I'd wake back up in my own apartment. It didn't work. I then tried pinching my arms till they were bruised. That too failed; soon I became thirsty. So I drank water from the tap in the bathroom. Strolling over and wavering in front of the doorway out. Nervous about the unknown being paralyzed with indecision.

Later, when I presumed it was evening, I heard footsteps outside.  Getting up and standing next to the door. My heart fluttering with excitement and fear. The footsteps passed my door and kept going. I poked my head out cautiously. Two men, one tall and thin with shaggy blond hair. The other is a bit shorter and stocky with jet-black, clean-cut hair. They were walking away from my door, both wearing weird tunics, both a dusky blue. The two were talking amongst themselves. I debated on what to do; my stomach growled. If I did nothing, I'd surely starve to death in my room. Who knows how long till another person walks by. So I tentatively stepped out and, mustering up the courage, shouted. "Hello, you two!"

They stopped and turned around. Surprise on their faces. "Greetings," the shorter one says back, still looking surprised. "I thought refugees weren't occupying this wing yet."

I smiled nervously. "Um, yes, well," I say, trying to come up with an explanation. Then my stomach growled, "Do you know where to get some food?" I ask my hunger, making me a bit bolder.

The two of them looked at each other. Then the shaggy blond one said. "Yeah, we were on the way for Chow. ourselves, this is Marcus," he said, jamming a thumb in the direction of the shorter guy. "And I'm Lance," jamming his thumb at himself, "and you are?"

I give a shy smile. "Olivia," I say.

Lance smiled and said, "Well, Olivia, it's a pleasure to meet you. What colony are you from?"

I turn bright red. "Um, I, uh," I softly started.

Marcus nudged Lance. "Maybe she doesn't want to talk about it. venta was hit hard and was the most recent attack. She's most likely from there, although. It's weird she's the only one so far," he said, looking me up and down. I blushed even more deeply, nervously fidgeting in place.

Lance himself turned a little red and said, "My apologies if it's hard to talk about forget the question." I turned impossibly even redder. All I could do was nod; I didn't like lying. But what was I going to do? Tell them that I somehow suddenly teleported here. Although I thought with how things were going. I wouldn't be surprised at being beamed up by Scotty. I trailed after Lance and Marcus. As they gestured for me to follow them. I trotted behind them, catching snippets of the conversation. But I wasn't paying much attention as I tried instead. To remember the way back to my room.

We arrived a short time later to a giant room. filled with people sitting down eating at rows of tables. A line was in front of a counter. At where I presumed you ordered your meal, wavering, I state. "I can't pay for this."

Lance automatically said, "Refugees get free food for a short time. till job placements can be allocated to them. Just scan your bracelet." Showing me his, a black band of rubber-like material encircled his left wrist. He looked to my wrist and asked puzzled, "Where's your bracelet?"

I stammered, "I, uh, I don't have one."

Marcus and Lance looked at each other. Then Lance narrowed his eyes and stated in a clipped tone. "After dinner we shall go get you one for now; I'll get your dinner."

Relieved, I said, "Thank you, Lance." I felt a bit uneasy with the looks Marcus and Lance gave me. But at least there will be dinner. We waited our turn in line and then ordered. I got what appeared to be oatmeal. The other two are getting a kind of stew. We ate in relative silence, after which the moment I took my last bite of food. Lance stood up and said, "I'll take you to get your bracelet."

I nodded, then said, "Alright." I followed him out of the mess hall and down some hallways. More and more I felt uneasy as Lance seemed more cold and distant than before. Shortly after we started walking. A tall man dressed in a more formal reddish tunic seemed to follow us at a distance. After a bit more walking, we entered what appeared to be a medical bay. A kind-looking gentleman in a blue and white coat was sitting at a desk. Thick spectacles hung from his nose that he pushed up when he looked up at us.

Lance's voice was tight. "This one needs a checkup; she doesn't have a bracelet."

The doctor frowning turned to me and asked, "Where's your bracelet?"

I hung my head and muttered, "I don't have one."

The doctor, now suspicious, asked, "Did you lose it? Or do you seriously not have one?"

I snapped, "I don't have one, alright? What's so important about it anyway?" I cringed inwardly at my lack of restraint. In what is shaping up to be a tense situation that I barely understood.

Lance, in a harsh, cold tone, snapped back, "It's your ID; it tells us who you are."

Lance then exchanged a knowing look with the doctor. I really started to feel like I had somehow fucked up. "I am just going to go back to my room. Thank you, Lance, for dinner, but I really should be going."

In a not too friendly tone this time, the doctor said. "No, you shall stay here." Ignoring him, I slowly backed towards the door I came through. When I bumped into something hard and fleshy behind me. Looking up, it was the man following behind me and Lance on the way here.

His face looked hard and serious. Everyone's eyes that I met looked hard and unwaveringly at me. "Okay then," I squeaked. "I guess I'm staying here."

The doctor said not unkindly this time. "We are going to run some tests. like taking your temperature and blood pressure, and then after all that a blood sample. If everything looks good, you're free to go. " Up here, please," he said, patting a standard doctor's chair. Complete with the little paper drape nervously, I sat down.

First he took my temperature, then shone a light in my eyes. Then he said, "I'm going to listen to your heart. Please remove your shirt and bra." I hesitated under the gaze of everyone. But reluctantly did as asked. His hands were cold as he rested them on my chest. They were between my breast. his instrument for listening to my heartbeat Seemed to be cupped in one of his hands.

Then he ran his other hand. Gently down my stomach, then running it along my ribs. Fingers gently pressing at various places. Under my breasts against my ribs. He then checked my feet, touching each toe. Asking me to wiggle them, he then said, "You'll feel a slight pinch." I yelped at the sudden pinch on my fore arm. Then a sudden rush of drowsiness overtook me. When I woke up, it seemed a few minutes later.

He then proceeded to ask me. As if I didn't just pass out a few questions. Such as where I was from. How old I was. What my job was, etc. I answered as truthfully as I could. Except I said I was from the colony of Venta. I felt if I changed the narrative now, it'd raise more suspicion. Even if I didn't outright tell Lance and Marcus such it still felt expected.

With each test passed, the room seemed to relax. As the doctor called out "normal" at each one. After the blood work and the doctor's careful examination of it. He declared it was all normal.

Lance relaxed and then beamed as he said. "Sorry, I had to make sure you weren't one of them. You never know; they get craftier by the day."

I frowned, about to ask Lance what he meant. When the doctor interrupted, saying. "Here I've entered your information already. Into the band, just put it on and don't lose it this time," he said reproachfully

I stammered a "thank you" to the doctor taking the bracelet and putting it on. Turning to Lance, I asked. "Lance, how do I get back to my room?" I was tired after being poked and prodded at.

He smiled. "This is a pretty big colony. I'll help you back to your quarters." He then escorted me all the way back. Saying if I needed anything else to ask him or Marcus. They were here to help. A few weeks passed like this. Marcus and Lance would walk to my door, and we would all get meals together. We would sometimes talk and show me around. They would point out various parts of the station, like "Over there is the library, and over there is where we grow food. This is where I and Marcus lived." Lance was being a good tour guide, his voice clear and easy to understand.

It took some adjusting to this new life. As the idea of being in space was still startling. But having Marcus and Lance eased the transition. I spent some of my days exploring the station, finding new interesting areas like an entire swimming area and fitness rooms.

I found it difficult to operate the technology. As it worked very differently from what I was used to, there was some familiarity intuitively to some of it. Like ordering food, but then there's some of it, like the computer's operating system. It was way different than how they worked at home. I felt like my grandfather when he got a computer. Now I understood his confusion. I awoke in my fourth week's morning to lots of commotion outside my door.

I poked my head out and was met with throngs of people. They were moving in and out of various doors that studded the hallway. Lance and Marcus and a few others dressed similarly. Was directing traffic, answering questions, and in general helping move things. Some of the people were tired looking and bedraggled. Holding possessions under their arms. Some had ripped up or bedraggled clothes. Still, some people had nothing but the clothes on their backs, and others looked injured, looking off in the distance. Like they're remembering something awful. It seemed like a huge moving day, and I realized it was the refugees from Venta. They had arrived and were moving into the wing I was in. I also in that moment realized that Marcus and Lance must have jobs on the station. To help the refugees by helping them get their bearings.

I went back into my room to escape the noise and hubbub. After a few hours everything seemed to have calmed down. Then over what appeared to be a loudspeaker. Lances' voice filtered through, he said in a solemn voice. "Colony venta I know you've all been through a hard time. You all have lost much and been through much. On behalf of Colony Axion, we welcome you. We hope you think of Axion as your new home just as Venta was for you. The solar system our solar system is under grave threat. It is for us, the humans, we shall repel them. We shall be triumphant we will win. now for a moment of silence for those we lost." I could hear people all around me in their rooms. Say the sentiment, then fall silent.

Lance continued after the moment, "Next week job assignments will be given. So you all can become productive members of society again." The dining hall the following morning was a mess. Tons of people flooded the room. The poor cooks were frantically trying to turn out what was requested. Marcus was in the room surrounded by people. They were asking him various questions. He seemed a little overwhelmed and flustered by it all. I left the dining hall thinking I'd come back later when it wasn't pandemonium in there.

Over the next week it was the same; everything was loud and crowded. As people tried to settle in and find their place. Over the loudspeaker, Lance instructed us to meet in one of the common rooms. On the station. When I arrived, the line was out the door, wrapping around down the hallway. I got in line and stood there for three hours. When it was finally my turn, Lance smiled. "Hello, Olivia," he said jovially, then asked me first my name and then occupation.

I replied with a hint of pride, "I am a mycologist. " Lance looked puzzled. I sighed. "I study mushrooms," I say, deflated

Lance said, "Oh, you have? Where did you study? What are your previous references of jobs you held in your field?"

Hand hovering over a tablet waiting to type the information.

I froze. "I don't suppose you heard of Vonix Labs."

Lance typed on the tablet, frowned, and said, "No, and there isn't one in the system. Do you have proof such as pay stubs? Or coworkers that can vouch you worked with them?"

I hung my head and said, "No."

Lance said gently, "Well, don't worry; we'll assign you a job. Based on what the colony needs," unsure if I liked that prospect.

I nodded to Lance, said "thank you," and moved out of line

Lance called after me, "You'll be assigned in a few days, so hang tight." I took my leave and then wondered around the station for a little while. Not wanting to go back to my room and to the din of the refugee wing. I found a quiet room with rows of computers sitting in it. There were some neatly arranged tables with a few people at them. Holding tablets, I remember Lance pointing this out and saying this was the library.

A nice looking lady sat behind the front desk. "May I help you?" She called out.

I wavered and said, "Yes, could you help me find Vonix Lab through the computer?"

She chirped cheerfully, "Of course, in our archives we have a whole range of scientific papers and studies." She sat me down in front of one of the computers. Frowning slightly at my inability to navigate. The unfamiliar operating system. Soon we found the Vonix Labs archives. I began to read the articles about it. Established in 1999, it's breakthrough discovery in 2026 of a new formulation of antifungal that helps protect bananas. From an infection that killed nearly 40% of all plants. I started flipping through all that was on Vonix Labs. The articles were all past tense: "What year is it now?" I asked

The help lady stated, "3036." I felt my stomach drop. "1000 years," I muttered. Everything everyone I knew gone. I had secretly known in some capacity and was putting off actually confirming it. As I could still pretend I was somehow home and could find a way back. Even knowing the conformation still stung. I sat in silence for a few more seconds, then thanked the helpful lady and left.

I headed back to my room and generally stayed there. Till Lance called me about my new job assignment a few days later. He walked me to a more industrial part of the station. "This is Jordan," Lance gestured to a redheaded man in his 40s. "You'll be his apprentice." I nodded my head in acknowledgment. Lance left, saying, "You'll be in good hands."

Jordan said in a gruff voice, "You'll be an HVAC technician; it's a serious job. Maintaining life support for the whole colony." I nodded again. "We have a cooling issue in the south wing. We are going to go look at it, and I'll teach you how to spot and then repair the issue. So my days were filled with learning how to repair heating and cooling. Checking air quality in the vents and responding to tickets submitted by residents. After a few months of this I was permitted my first job by myself. So when I was crawling through vents wearing coveralls and a hard hat with a light. Muttering to myself, I had a doctorate. Why was I climbing through dusty vents? I was startled to come upon webs. They weren't really sticky, but they were strong and plucky. Like the strings of a guitar. Uneasy, I backed out of the vents and reported it to Jordan. He cursed and said that sounds like a Joba had infested that portion of the vents.

I frowned. "What's a Joba?"

Jordan cocked his head and said, "Giant spider-like things some dumb idiot designed for a pet some few hundred years ago. Stating how "cute" the things were"

I tentatively asked, "Is that what's attacking the colony's?"

Jordan belly laughed and said, "You only wish these puppy dogs were those scaled bastards," his voice darkening. "They are a 1000 times worse than any Joba cupcake." His face turned serious. "Here, ever shot one of these?" Jordan asked, handing me a small gun like object. I shook my head no. "Well, you see this little lever thing here?" He said, pointing to what appeared to be a trigger. "You pull it, and it fires. You'll need it if you don't want to end up as Joba food."

We then headed over to the vents I saw the webs in. Jordan went first after I described what sector of the vent it was in."Keep that weapon in your hand, las; you may need it," Jordan called over his shoulder as I crawled in after him.

After a bit of poking around at the webs littering the vents. Jordan said, "It appears to be just webs," plucking some of the web strands. making them sound like he was plucking a string. I then heard a skittering noise. Then a fast thumping came down the vent behind me. Then suddenly something hairy and large skittered up on my back. I shrieked, twisting around to see in my headlamps glow. curved shiny black fangs, fuzzy legs, pedipalps, and a dozen baleful eyes shining In my headlamp. All of them looking at me!. I shrieked even louder; it was the size of a medium-sized dog. Heavy too, pinning me underneath it. I aim widely over my shoulder and pull the trigger. With a sudden flash and a bang, the creature stood stock still for a moment.

The scent of burnt hair filled my nostrils. Then the creature keeled over dead. Draped across my back, I push it off, shaking. I quickly climbed out of the vents shaken from the events. That had just transpired, Jordan said. We will contact pest control to take care of the rest. The damage doesn't seem too bad. I'll take care of cleanup and repairs. Then, in a gentle voice, not his usual gruff one, "are you okay, Las?" Putting a hand on my shoulder.

Shakily I said, "Yeah, I think so."

Looking into my eyes, he said still gently, "Take the rest of the day off; las you did a good job."

I flatly replied, "Okay." I left, not waiting for him to change his mind. Heading towards my room, I saw two soldiers dragging away a man. He was shouting how he wasn't one of them. I slowed down trying to get a better look at the man. He looked off a bit into the uncanny valley. But it was hard to tell exactly with him struggling. He was shouting to let him go as he struggled to break free. Shivering slightly at the scene, I found Lance. He was walking down the same hallway as me to the refugee wing. He was a bit ahead of me, so I picked up the pace and caught up to him.

I asked him about the man being dragged away. Lance rubbed his forehead. "You really don't know?" He asked puzzled "your from Venta? Surely you know what happened to it?" I shook my head no. Lance gave me a strange look. But he said, "He's a suspected Strail" now it was my turn to look puzzled, he continued. "We're under attack from the Strail"

Still puzzled, "Attack? Strail? What even is a Strail?"

Lance sighed, exasperated, "An alien race hellbent on slaughtering. all of the human race. They appeared some 50 years ago in our solar system. The first attack was shortly after an entire colony was just gone, not a body left behind. I was floored; not only did aliens exist. But we had made contact with them. I was instantly incredibly interested despite myself and Lance's opinion of obvious hatred.

Asking curiously, "Why do they want to kill us?"

Lance sighed "who knows maybe they want our resources and territory. Or they just don't like us. Or maybe they just want to fuck us," Lance said sarcastically. "But one thing is clear: we must repel them from our solar system. If we wish to survive. They are extremely dangerous and hostile. They will kill any human on sight without hesitation."

Asking, still curious, "Really?"

Lance's face turned red, and then he sighed; he seemed more tired these days. "Yes, I wouldn't just make this up. They don't leave any human bodies behind, not one."

I nod, trying not to let my intrigue show too much. I asked, "So Strail looks like us, though?"

Lance grimaced. "More like a party costume; they can change their forms. To look like us in often an uncanny valley type of thing. But some have gotten very good at mimicking us, so don't be fooled. They infiltrate colonies and destroy them from the inside. Our military, though, has developed many stringent methods to screen for them. So don't worry," Lance said reassuringly. "Axion will not fall. All you refugees are safe," Lance said almost to himself with that. He went off to help an elderly man that had lost his glasses. He asked Lance if he could help look for them.

After me and Lance's conversation. I began to work up to get to know my neighbors. In the rooms around mine. One day I was invited to sit with a group at meal time. They were chatting and telling jokes. I was mainly just listening off in my own world. When one of them asked me, "Do you know any jokes?"

Not really paying attention, I say, "Uh, yeah?"

The one who asked perked up. "Oh, tell us one."

I hesitated but then said, "Okay, did you hear about the guy who invented the knock-knock joke?"

Everyone who I sat with gave me a puzzled look and then in unison said, "No."

A wide smile crossed my face as I said, "Well, he won the no-bell prize."

Blank stares met me; no one so much as smiled. I felt my heart sink. "I thought that one was pretty funny even if it's a dad joke." I murmured.

Another from the group asked, "What's a Nobel Prize?" I've never heard of it.

Puzzled, I said, "It's an award for great achievements, basically."

They all looked at me, making me feel a bit isolated, and then another asked, changing the subject "have you watched any good holo shows?"

Extremely puzzled, I asked, "Holo show?"

This time equally puzzled. The questioner replied, "Yeah, like Dark Descent or Idol."

I realized they were basically asking what TV shows I watched. I cringed; they wouldn't know any of the ones I would tell them, so I said, "I'm not much into holo shows, rots, your brains, and such."

The asker dejectedly, said, "Oh, okay."

I cringed even more inwardly. I quickly add, "Maybe you have some recommendations?" But the damage seemed to have already been done. Socializing was going poorly, and I felt more than ever in that moment. An outsider looking in after that, no one asked me for another joke or holo show. Or anything for that matter. Sometimes I was sure I would get strange looks. I seemed to make small social mistakes without realizing it. But people all around noticed rumors started. that people were saying I never was from Venta and that I just seemed to appear one day. Although that was true, I was worried about the consequence if that became widely believed. The reason why the rumors started was that. No one knew who I was; people asked around, and not one person recognized me.

Suspicion that I could be a traitor or infiltrator. Circulated, making people start to avoid me. I even had one man spit at me, "reptiod," he muttered, walking away. Often I heard them use that whenever they were angry.

I learned that Venta was one of the farthest stations in our solar system. Located in the Kuiper Belt near Pluto, the strail was slowly pushing their way into our solar system. First hitting Thoth on pulto, then after we recognized them as a threat. fought them till more colony's then they hit venta.

Venta is located between Pluto and Venus. They then pushed towards Mars. The military kept the push slow to nonexistent for years. Their technology was more advanced than ours, and despite our tenaciousness it wasn't enough.

Trying to connect with my neighbor. I once tried to make a joke about how the Strail sounded. Like an old urban legend of another species of aliens. That indeed were called reptiods. Lizard men aliens that changed their form and took over positions of power. By impersonating heads of governments. The people I told the jokes to didn't seem that amused. I felt very isolated in this time period. As all the jokes and references I know were literal ancient history to them.

All the places I knew and all the people I loved before were gone and dead. Even my home earth is a completely different place from when I lived there. Everyone was nice enough to me. Aside from the occasional asshole. Feeling like everyone was keeping their distance from me. I felt I was truly an alien amongst my own kind. I went to my job assignment day in and day out and ate meals mostly alone. On occasion I would catch Marcus or Lance, and we would then have short chats. But they were always short, as Marcus and Lance were always in a hurry. Off to go do something or help someone, sometimes I would manage a brief conversation with some of my neighbors. About work and life, but it was always superficial. Life had settled into something familiar and predictable. Even if I felt rather alienated. Until one day I came into my job assignment. Jordan with a huge smile on his face "I think you're ready to learn how to repair things on the outside of the station."

I froze, anxiety and excitement mixing into one fluttering in my stomach. "I am going to learn how to spacewalk?" I said slowly.

Jordan beaming, "Yes," he said, "have you ever done it before?"

I vigorously shook my head no, "not even close," I squeaked.

Jordan smiled even bigger. "Well, let's get you suited up. It's a fantastic experience. I remember my first time when I was a lad truly amazing. I'll teach you everything you need to know; don't worry."

Jordan and I then walked to the airlock labeled X, and he pointed to a changing room. It was near the big heavy airlock door. "There should be Azure in there; she'll help you get suited up properly."

I entered the door Jordan gestured towards. Inside the room lined with various sized spacesuits. All sleek orange and white in color. Neatly arranged by size, Azure greeted me, "Heading out?" She asked, and I nodded, and then she took a measuring tape. Running it over my body, muttering to herself about the right sized boots I wore and the right sized gloves. So I could manipulate tools properly.

About an hour later I was suited up properly. On shaker legs I stood in front of the airlock. "Okay, first things first," Jordan said. "You're going to check your helmet; make sure that all readings are green." I looked in my helmet; little readings were in the corner of it. Next, he said, all green "Then you're going to hook yourself here. Using this line attached to your suit," he took a carabiner from his belt. with the rope attached to it and hooked it onto a big heavy metal ring. I mimic what Jordan did, hooking myself to the big heavy ring. "Ready," Jordan said, beaming.

I squeaked, "As I'll ever be." Jordan hit a button, an alarm went off, and the doors to the air lock shut behind us. I felt a bit of a pull as the doors slowly opened to outside the station. They opened with a loud, shuddering, grinding noise. that faded as the air evacuated the room. We waited till the doors fully opened, and Jordan easily walked out to the edge of the air lock. I realized in that moment that our boots were magnetic and stuck to the metal of the station. Jordan's voice filtered into my helmet: "Alright, Las, you have jets on your back to help maneuver. Your gloves and boots are magnetic; all you have to do. Is hover your hand over your hip/thigh, and your tools from your belt will magnetically get sucked into your hand," he added jokingly "so you don't have your tools float away from you"

Jordan continued, "You just hover your hand back over your hip/thigh to put it back on your tool belt when done. Any questions?" I shook my head no. Jordan said, "Alright then, now I want you to jump off here," indicating the edge of the airlock. "The line will make sure you don't float too far away. You attach new carabiners to these rings outside and release the old ones. By cutting the rope with your knife. You have your knife and gun on your belt at all times, is that understood?"

I nodded, then nervously peered over the edge. "I don't know about this," I squeaked

Soothingly Jordan said, "It's okay, Las, you got this." Still incredibly nervous, I tentatively bent my knees and leaped off. Feeling my boots detach for the station. Feeling disoriented, as there was no up or down, just a free form floating. Panic setting in as I was trying to get my bearings. When I felt a hand on my leg, I quickly turned to see Jordan was gripping my leg. He then reeled me in, clipping carabiners to the rings as he dragged me along. Soon we were at the spot where we will work for the next hour.

Jordan helped me gain my confidence in moving through space. By instructing me on how to use my jets. showing me how to orient myself. Practicing grabbing tools off my belt. Finally, he showed me where the problem was with the HVAC system. He had me diagnose the problem. Where I repaired it myself, then I spent the rest of the day practising space walking. Breaking in between to refuel and oxygenate.

Jordan yawning said, "That's it for today las we will for the next few months work on outside repairs, then you'll be fully fledged." A little disappointedly, I followed him back inside. My first space walk was amazing. Jordan then took me on many more outside repairs till he announced my apprenticeship was over.

I'll be working by myself from now on. Sadly I said, "Thank you for teaching me, Jordan, and being so kind to me."

He beamed and said, "You're welcome; you've been a wonderful apprentice." I shook his hand. I realised in that moment I had been on Axion for a year. It was bitter sweet. I mean, what an adventure.

That everything just 12 months ago had been completely different. I sat later that evening in my room looking out the window. Waiting for the moon to come back into view. Just like that, the first day I woke up on Axion.

The next morning I was called out for a job. There was a leak; I had to find and repair it on the outside of the station. I suited up as I had become practiced in doing. Hooking myself to the metal rings, I then hit the air lock button. I made my way outside to where the leak was reported to be. After half an hour of searching, I found the issue and began repairing it.

Then suddenly a flash of light caught my attention. I looked up to see a ball of something gleaming. seemingly coming straight for me. Dodging out of the way, spinning a little out of control. Till my tether stopped me as the dazzling light crashed into the station. It skittered onto a flat part where it rolled, and then it came to a screeching halt. I real myself back down to the station from my tether connecting my boots to its metal. I cautiously approached the gleaming thing, realizing it was a ship. Wondering how it got here and if whoever was inside was even still alive. Giving it a closer look, I realized too it wasn't one of ours. I had seen some of the military ships fly by when I looked out my bedroom window. Heart in my throat, I reached for my weapon. feeling the satisfying thud of it magnetically being sucked to my hand. As I held it over it then with shaky hands I approached the wreck.

I slowly circled to the front, where the glass of the cockpit was shattered. The front crumpled like a newspaper inside hung a limp figure clad in a sleek white and black suit. The helmet was angular and shiny, dark like super tinted windows. They were tangled by life support gear and some sort of seatbelt. They stirred, and I startled back, surprised they were alive. The figure lifted their visored head towards me. I was unable to see their face, but I felt my hackles raise. I was sure they were looking at me. A mixture of fear and excitement permeated my body. At seeing a real life alien, another being from another planet completely separate from my own.

I held up my weapon directly at them. They suddenly thrashed, trying to get free. I noticed a weapon at their own waist. My heart is in my throat; I go to squeeze the trigger. I knew I should kill them if they got loose in the colony. Who knew how long they could evade capture and wreak havoc in Axion? I looked into the visored face of the alien. They looked back and hung their head. In the visor I saw my reflection in its gleaming surface. I wondered how scared most of them were. If I were in their position, I'd be shitting bricks. I wavered; I couldn't do it. I then dropped my weapon to my side. Licking my lips nervously, I looked around and pulled out my knife.

I began cutting them loose; they stirred. The visored head cocked to the side. Then suddenly they were free. I spring back, as I was afraid of being instantly attacked. But they didn't; they just stared at me before they pressed a few buttons in the cockpit. Then I heard the sudden crackle of voices in my helmet and realized that solders were deployed. To investigate the crash, I instantly ran over to the edge. to see heavily decked out men making their way towards our position. I stayed on the edge as they landed in front of me, the crash obscuring the alien.

I began talking to the soldiers, telling them the alien was dead. "We should still investigate, ma'am," one of them said, but I was insistent that it was dead. Another soldier said I was stupid for approaching it and that I could have been killed. But eventually they left, saying they'll get a hauler to drag the wreck away. To clean up and study it, I turn back to see the alien jump off the side of Axion. Then they flew off using jets in their suits. They flew away from Axion, away from me.

"Your welcome," I hollered, even knowing I knew they couldn't hear me. Their path seemed unsteady, but they were assured of themselves. I preyed to myself in that moment; I didn't just do something really stupid in saving them. I went back to my repair, finishing it up just in time to see the soldiers with the hauler. I then made my way back inside Axion just as the soldiers hooked the wreck to the hauler. Grabbing some lunch, I found Lance eating and sat down. "Lance?" I asked. "Is it true that Strail always kills a human on sight?"

Lance narrowed his eyes and finished swallowing, then said, "Yes, they always do." Well, unless they are trying to infiltrate, anyone who's seen them before they try to blend in is killed." We ate in silence, then I headed to bed. I looked out the window wondering why I was left alive.

I waited in intensity the next several days, then weeks, then months, waiting to see what would happen. But nothing did; soon things began to feel normal again, and the events of that day slowly faded into memory.

The war was heating up; more military personnel patrolled our territory. Heavy screening of people almost daily, tension was high in the air. Talks about drafts and how we were losing territory. Was on everyone's lips, we were doing our best to repel them. But officially losing ground in the Kuber Belt. Venta was fully taken and no longer contested territory. Talks of moving the Venus colonies to Mars or one of its moons were in the works. Overall the despair in the air was palpable. Raids was pressing closer and closer to earth with a desperate air to them. They're crafts faster and more advanced than our own, evading ours with almost ease.

I was once again working outside the station. When suddenly 12 ships flew overhead. I paused a moment admiring how well they flew. I assumed they were going out on a patrol but still wondered where they were going in a hurry. When I got my answer, sleek ships like the one that crashed so very long ago. We're coming into engagement. I observed the fight taking place above my head. Like an idiot, I paused to watch the firefight; beams of light were flying everywhere from our side and theirs. I swallowed hard; I need to get back into Axion. I started making my way back to the airlock, bright lights flashing over my head. When suddenly one landed close to me as a ship whizzed over my head. I was suddenly flung back with a burst of light making my ears ring.

A near direct hit from one of the ships had blasted Axion and me in the process. The sudden blast had flung me to the end of my tether. Another explosion sent shrapnel shredding the tether and embedding itself into my flesh. Pinning the suit to me in places. I realized I was free spinning in space away from Axion. My helmet had flashing lights and warnings stating the suit breached. The disorienting spinning was making me feel ill and the realization. That I was most likely going to die out here terrified me. I tried engaging my jets, but I kept receiving error messages in my helmet. The shrapnel probably damaged it, making it absolutely useless.

After what seemed like endless floating in space away from Axion. away from the new things I all knew. I was running low on oxygen; the warning kept flashing in my helmet. My head felt gluey and confused; my body hurt and would barely respond. The endless black void was scary but beautiful to watch. Who knew how long I had been here floating in this void. When a bright light filled my vision, just like that dream I had. That felt like forever ago; i thought. The light swallowed me up, and I knew no more.