The day started off like any other. Maybe better than average. The sun shone, the birds sang, and the war that plagued the galaxy for centuries seemed like it was coming to an end. Things were looking up. At least, until the ship arrived.

This was the day Stariek changed forever.

The Vah’Aris family was enjoying the nice day at their cottage outside of Mornage. A snowfall preceded them the night prior, leaving a fresh blanket of the white powder, a beautiful sight in the mountains as the sun sparkled off. Gentle flakes were still coming down, twinkling through the air and peppering the ground.

A small Xaleyp Vah’Aris played in the yard with his best friend, Rach’El Torlin, both just ten years old. He scooped together an armful of snow as big as his head, trying to compress it into a ball to throw at her. Before he could finish, there was a smack as a ball from Rach’El hit him straight in the chest. He staggered backwards and toppled, landing in the snow with a thump. They both laughed in delight, jumping up and throwing misshapen clumps at one another.

Kaylee and Skylar sat on the nearby deck, watching the two play with the city’s skyscrapers as a backdrop. They shared a lounge chair with his arm wrapped around her and her head on his shoulder. He stroked her stomach in small circles. Both were wearing thick coats, scarves, and gloves, keeping them warm even in the subzero degree weather and as gusts of wind passed over them, the cold nipping at their faces.

“They love it up here,” Kaylee whispered, smiling up at Skylar. “I’m glad Travis and Trilia let us take Rach up here as often as we can. It’s so much better for them to grow and play up here instead of the city.”

“It’s good to spend time with family and friends.” He nodded in agreement and pulled her closer, pressing his head to her neck. “If my work didn’t keep me so busy…”

“If your work didn’t keep you busy, we wouldn’t be able to come up here at all.” She giggled as he gently kissed her below the chin. “It would be nice, though, if they didn’t rely on you so much. It seems like everything has to go through you.”

“That’s kind of my job as Commander, Kaylee,” he said whenever he came away from her skin. “I can’t just ask them to leave me alone every time we want a break.”

“Yeah, but I’d be happier if we could at least come out here more often. Let them handle things on their own for a while, you know? What’s the worst that could happen?” She frowned and small wrinkles formed on her cheeks, pushing away his assault on her neck and hiding it beneath her scarf. “Once or twice a year for vacation is not nearly enough.”

“That’s the price you pay for running a planet,” Skylar said, turning his attention back to the kids just as Xaleyp formed a small snowball and hit Rach in the face with it. He could almost picture when he was the same age, playing in the snow with his own friends. Laughing, he continued, “It is definitely worth it though.”

In the distance, a low rumbling noise grew louder, shattering the veil of leisure they put up. From behind the mountain came a ship heading directly for the city below, its engines glowing and ailerons flaring out to slow its descent. None of the cars ferrying between buildings slowed or paid any mind to the new arrival as it wasn’t uncommon for ships to come this way. What was uncommon was the symbol on the side: a pitch black Y with blood red triangles around the middle joint.

It drew the attention of Skylar and Kaylee, bringing them out of their state of reverie with the children. They stared in silence, watching it approach the city. The look they shared with each other was one of both understanding and fear. They both knew the symbol could only come from one place, and that suffering typically followed in its wake.

The cottage door hissed open and snapped them out of their trance. From inside the house came a man in standard nanoweave armor with a metal breastplate and shoulder pads and a thick gold band running diagonally across his chest. He had slick, black hair, tight against the top of his head, and a thin beard. He strode over to the pair of them with practiced calm and placed a hand on Skylar’s shoulder with zero hesitation.

“Sir, I’m so sorry to interrupt.” His voice was low, each word coming out with a visible breath in the cold air. “We need to get inside. It’s not safe for us to be out here, and you need to contact your advisors.”

“Zayne, what is going on?” Skylar was skeptical but got up anyway. He pointed to the ship, his finger trembling somewhat. “Is that—”

“Skylar, please. Just listen to me for once in your life.” Zayne pushed the other man’s arm down. He gripped both of Skylar’s shoulders and looked over at Xaleyp and Rach’El. They were staring up at the deck, a curious expression on their faces. When they saw him look their way, they quickly glanced away to pretend they weren’t watching. “Playtime is over, kids. It’s time to go in.”

“What is going on?” Kaylee echoed. She stood and glared at the man, a subtle coolness emanating from her voice. “Why is our vacation being interrupted? We’ve been waiting months for this.”

“I’ll explain inside. It’s not safe out here.” The two children reached the deck as he finished the sentence. A dusting of snow covered them from head to foot, scattering over the shoveled deck as it fell off their jackets. Zayne turned to them and tried his hardest to smile, but it came out as more a grimace. “Go inside, Xaleyp. Bring your friend down to the safe room. Get some hot cocoa or something on your way if you want.”

“Okay, Zay.”

Xaleyp waved widely with his arm to Rach, and they both took off running across the deck. Their footsteps squelched each time their boots left wet snowprints on the dark wood.

“Carefully, and don’t get any snow on the floor!” Kaylee shouted after them. She followed in their wake, hurrying to the door. Stopping halfway, she turned and pointed a finger at Zayne. “I want to be kept updated every step of the way, okay?”

Zayne nodded to her, and she disappeared into the house. He turned back to Skylar when it was just the two of them left. Skylar could see the look of fear in the man’s eyes, no matter how much he tried to hide it. He knew him far too long to be tricked.

“Let’s get inside.” Zayne attempted to smile again but gave up, knowing he failed miserably. “We don’t want to keep the generals waiting too long.”

They walked together back into the house. The door hissed shut behind them, blocking out the howling of the wind and snow. An almost eerie silence lingered in the house with only the receding footsteps of the children and gentle creaking of the house audible.

“How did the Commander of Stariek end up with such a boring winter cottage?” Zayne asked as they walked through the living room to the stairs leading up to the second floor. There was not much in the way of decorations in the house, most of the walls bare. “I’d get as much art or whatever as I could if I were in your shoes. You deserve to live in the lap of luxury, not teetering on the edge of squalor.”

“Yeah, but you’re not me.” Skylar smiled despite the pit in his stomach. “You were always gaudy. I’m fine with what we have, and there’s no point in wasting resources on myself when there are other people out there who need it.”

“But you’re in charge of an entire planet.” Their footsteps echoed on the dark wood floor. He gestured around him. “At least put it to some use.”

“My job as Commander isn’t just decorating houses and throwing parties, Zayne.” Skylar stopped and grabbed Zayne’s shoulder, holding him in place. “Now, be honest with me. Is that ship from Hyperia?”

“The fact you’re even asking should tell you the answer to that question.”

“Why? Why now? They’ve had so many years to come. Why did they decide now’s the time?”

“I don’t know, Skylar.” Zayne sighed and shook his head. “We can only pray it’s not bad”

They kept moving down the second-floor hallway towards a thick metal door. Lights were spread periodically in the ceiling, casting their glow on the brown wooden walls and black floor below. Each step closer was a step closer to their demise, Skylar knew. There could be no other reason for Hyperia to be here. In the center of the door, there was an etching of four rhombuses forming a fractured square. A well-worn keypad jutted out from the wall next to it with a single red light glowing just above. On the wall to the side was a banner of a phoenix, its wings unfurled and spread wide to the heavens.

“The generals are waiting on the holoprojector,” Zayne said. He inputted a code on the keypad to open the door. The light turned green, and he gestured for Skylar to enter. “Lead the way.”

Skylar nodded and went through the door with Zayne followed close behind. Taking up most of the room was a conference table surrounded by fifteen empty wooden chairs. In the center of the table was a holoprojector. At the right end was his desk with a computer sitting idle, just as he had left it the previous day. Across from him was a series of windows showcasing all of Mornage. Just one of the many cities he promised to protect. In the distance, he could see the ship still waiting to dock.

Zayne stood by the door, leaning against the wall and crossing his arms in front of him. He almost looked bored. Lucky for him, he didn’t have to deal with these issues. His job was all posturing and grandstanding, trying to look stern as he assisted Skylar with day-to-day affairs. A glorified, modern day steward that suited his best friend.

Skylar moved to the head of the table at the left end and sat. There were several controls for him to operate the holoprojector. When he pushed a button, it sprang to life. A small sphere hovered over the hexagonal base. Beams of blue light shot out in all directions, filling the chairs with holographic people — the generals and admirals of Stariek, all waiting on his command.