30 Years later…
The distant memory of that fateful day was nothing more than a ghost of a dream. Blake jolts awake, startled by Apollo’s sharp, persistent barking tearing through the quiet morning. His head hurts from drinking too much tequila last night. His aged body fights against getting up. His joints creak and his back feels stiff as he tries to move from his bed.
The bedroom is still shadowed, with the first hint of dawn just beginning to filter through the blinds. Looking at the digital clock on the nightstand, he squints at the harsh blue digits: 5:18 a.m. A low groan escapes his lips as he runs a hand, stiff with age, over his gray stubble. A notification on the screen of his holoview reads: “AI Companion service restored. We apologize for the outage.” His heart skips a beat at the message. The thought of reconnecting with his wife and son again, even if only through their AI simulation, is a comfort he relies on every single day.
Apollo keeps barking at the window. Blake sighs, pushing back the covers, and shuffles toward the window. Glancing out, he notices an imposing shuttle with the UNSS insignia descending toward his house. The early morning sun catches its curves as it glides silently to a stop on the docking pad right outside Blake’s door.
The shuttle door slides open, and Admiral Yamanaka steps out onto the landing platform, his authoritative form flanked by a security droid. Blake’s eyes trace the familiar contours of his visitor’s face. A younger image flashes in his mind, and the years fall away as he recognizes his old friend. It’s Riku, the man who was his close friend and an exchange cadet from the Japanese Space Force during their academy days.
Apollo’s fur stands on end as he barks furiously, his eyes locked on the admiral through the transparent door.
Blake swings open the door to his home, his face breaking into a warm smile. “Riku!” he exclaims as he clasps hands with the admiral in a hearty shake.
“Blake,” Riku greets him, his voice soft with fondness, their shared history reflected in their eyes. Decades have passed since their last encounter, yet the strong bond of friendship is still evident.
“You’ve gone gray,” Riku remarks with a grin.
“So have you,” Blake retorts.
“Coffee?” Blake invites, stepping aside to let the admiral pass. His attention shifts to the security droid at Riku’s side, and an involuntary shiver runs down his spine. The cold gleam of its optics brings a familiar, bitter taste to his mouth. “But the droid stays outside,” he insists. “I don’t like droids.” Apollo stops barking, perceiving Riku as no threat.
Blake pours them both a cup of instant coffee while they have a seat in the living room. He eases into his armchair, a quiet grunt escaping him as his back finds comfort against the worn cushions.
“Admiral at the UNSS, eh?” Blake remarks. “You’ve sure worked your way up the ranks since I last saw you, old friend,” a hint of admiration in his tone. “It’s great to see you again, Riku. How are your wife and daughter?” he asks.
A picture on the wall catches Riku’s attention—a group photograph of a family vacation they had shared. In the image, two families, Blake’s and Riku’s, are captured with smiles frozen in time.
“Sakura and I divorced seventeen years ago,” Riku replies. “She remarried and lives in Osaka. As for my daughter, Yoko,” Riku pauses briefly, “she followed my footsteps and serves as an officer in the Japanese Space Force.”
“Sorry to hear that your marriage didn’t work out,” Blake says. “However, it’s good to hear your family is well and alive.” He adds, “I wish I could say the same….” His voice trails off as he stares at the picture of their families.
“And how are you doing?” Riku asks. “Intel tells me you now work as a bounty hunter for the Miami Police Department.”
Blake confirms with a nod, his expression somber as he recounts: “Thirty years ago at Saturnia, the attack from Magnus that claimed the lives of Selena and Miguel… I couldn’t stay in space after that,” he says in a sad voice. “I swore to myself that I would stay on Earth. Space just holds too many painful memories.” Shaking off the melancholy, he adds with a faint smirk, “Now, I only catch bad guys on Earth.”
Riku’s eyes grow distant, fixed on some unseen point beyond Blake. “I remember that day all too well, Blake,” Riku says, his voice low and tinged with sorrow. “Selena and Miguel… they were like family to me too.”
“The only thing I have left of them is their AI simulation,” Blake tells him. “The AI company crafted their models from countless family videos, capturing every nuance and detail of them. I poured my heart out, sharing every memory, every facet of their personalities with the AI system. Although these simulations aren’t truly Selena and Miguel, they’re the closest I can get to having them in my life.”
Riku sets his coffee down. “Did they ever find out how Magnus managed to take control of Saturnia’s defenses? How did he hack the security droid?” The question hangs heavy between them.
Blake takes a moment before responding. His hand tightens on the mug as he stares into his coffee, the liquid reflecting his hardened expression. The memory of the hacked droid still haunts him.
“Colonel Harrison assured me of a thorough investigation and asked me to reconsider leaving the Space Force when I told him I wanted to quit. Several months after my resignation, I was provided with an official report from the Colonel. Their investigation revealed that a software vulnerability was identified in the security droid’s operating system. Magnus managed to exploit this vulnerability to hack the droid,” Blake explains.
“How did Magnus know about that vulnerability?” Riku asks.
“They were unable to trace the hack,” Blake responds. “With Magnus reduced to a pile of charred remains after I destroyed his ship, interrogation wasn’t exactly an option. The only preventative measure was updating the operating system of all droids of that model. That’s when the trust in droids died for me.”
Blake trails off, taking a sip of his coffee before placing the mug gently on the table. “So, are you going to tell me now why you’re really here?” he asks. “Surely, after all these years, you didn’t show up at my doorstep at dawn just to talk about the past.”
Riku lets out a sigh, his expression settling into a more official gravity as he looks at his old friend. “Blake,” he begins, his voice now crisp with military precision, “You’ve probably seen the news about the crisis at Saturnia at this moment. I came here straight from the command center. The President of the UNSS Council has tasked me to assemble a specialized rescue team for the evacuation of survivors at Saturnia. With Council nations’ existing rescue squads too distant, I am forced to form a new team with elite soldiers from various UNSS nations here on Earth.”
Blake cuts in, speaking plain and direct. “A team on Earth?” he questions, “How do you intend to get them to Saturnia from here? Even a ship with the fastest fusion drive, that’s weeks of travel.”
Riku rises from his seat and walks to the window, looking outside for a moment before facing Blake once more.
“The French Space Force has developed a top-secret vessel, equipped with warp capabilities,” Riku explains, his tone firm. “It is a highly experimental prototype that claims to travel vast distances in mere seconds. We have no guarantee it can reach Saturnia in time, or even make the warp jump that far. Yet, we must take this risk, because it is our only chance of getting a team there in time.”
Blake stares intently at Riku, his eyes narrowed as he absorbs the explanation.
“We’re unable to establish contact with Saturnia since the incident. Their comm systems must have been damaged. Details regarding the object, casualties, or any survivors are currently unknown,” Riku states, his voice serious as he delivers the grim facts. “This year, the Japanese Space Force oversees Saturnia’s military defense against space pirates. Our ambassador, currently visiting the stationed battalion, is accompanied by a delegation of Japanese Space Force soldiers. Regrettably, there has been no communication from any of them either.”
“Do you know what crashed into Saturnia?” Blake asks, his face stern.
“Our scanners calculated the object’s origin trajectory,” Riku explains. “Our science team believes there is a high chance it was a meteorite hurtled from the Kuiper Belt by asteroid collisions.”
Blake takes in the facts, his no-nonsense thinking getting to work.
“A meteorite crash, a newly formed team with zero experience with Saturnia, and a gamble on an experimental warp drive…” he remarks, shaking his head. “Seems like a tough job to pull off, Riku.”
“Precisely why I need you, Blake,” Riku replies, his stare holding steady.
“I’m willing to be your Subject Matter Expert on anything concerning Saturnia from here,” Blake attempts to assure him.
“I’m not seeking an advisor, my old friend,” Riku answers, “I need you to lead the rescue team at Saturnia.”
Blake’s demeanor shifts upon hearing this. The thought of returning to space and to Saturnia triggers distressing memories.
“Are you asking me to go back to Saturnia?” Blake whispers, a look of disbelief crossing his face.
“As the leader for this mission, it is my duty to create a rescue team, but for me there is also a more personal reason for this mission to succeed.” Riku pauses for a moment. “Blake, my daughter Yoko is there,” he confesses, desperation seeping into his voice. “She’s part of the Japanese delegation escorting the Japanese ambassador that is visiting Saturnia. I don’t even know if she is alive or not.”
Blake freezes at this revelation. He can see the fear in Riku’s eyes, a fear he knows all too well. Riku’s plea hangs heavy in the room as he leaves Blake with a choice – a choice that could change everything.
Blake looks down for a moment before replying: “I’m sorry, Riku. I can’t accept your request.”
He looks up, his sad voice showing old pain. “You have to understand,” he says, his tone heavy with regret. “I’ve lost too much out there. Selena, Miguel—they both died at Saturnia. Space took everything from me.”
He glances away, the memory too painful to confront directly. “I can’t go back out there. I stayed on Earth to leave all that behind.”
His eyes soften as he sees the anguish in Riku’s face. “I know what you’re feeling because your daughter might be in danger, and I can only imagine how hard this is for you. But I can’t go into space anymore. I can’t risk losing myself again. I’ve built a new life here on Earth. I’m truly sorry, Riku. I wish I could help, but I just can’t.”
Riku’s shoulders sag, his military bearing crumbling as disappointment floods his mind.
“I understand,” Riku responds, observing Blake as he processes the request. “However, as a friend, promise me this isn’t your final answer.” Riku presses. “I have one hour to finalize the team for the mission, and if you decline, I will need to assign another team leader.” He pauses briefly. “Personally, I believe you are the most suitable candidate for this role.” Riku hands Blake a small card with a scan code. “This is my personal contact information. If you change your mind within the hour, please give me a call.”
Blake wrestles with the lingering dilemma as Riku departs from his home. He watches his disappointed old friend board the shuttle, the security droid at his side, as it takes off into the morning sky.
Blake is standing in his living room, with Apollo by his side. The quiet house makes his rushing thoughts seem louder. He sits still for a moment before wandering over to the AI simulator console.
“Selena,” Blake calls out softly, and the life-size holographic image of Selena flickers back to life. Her long, brown hair cascades over her shoulders and her warm smile is as comforting as Blake remembers.
“I heard your conversation with Riku,” she says gently.
Blake takes a deep, shaky breath. “He wants me to lead a rescue mission to Saturnia,” his voice barely above a whisper.
Silence hangs in the air for a moment before Selena breaks it. “And you said no,” she remarks. Blake nods, his guilt a heavy weight.
For a moment, Selena says nothing, studying Blake’s face. Then, she speaks again, her voice a gentle, yet firm, persuasion. “Blake,” she begins, “I know the toll this life has taken on you, the scars in your memories.”
She pauses, letting Blake absorb her words.
“Riku… he’s in a desperate situation,” she presses on. “His daughter, Yoko, is in danger. In this critical hour, Riku needs you.”
“Going back to space?” Blake replies. “I vowed to never go there again. My life is here on Earth now, with you and Miguel.”
As these words hang in the air, Selena gives Blake a hard, intense look. “You’ve led many missions,” she states. “You have the skills, the experience… You can save Yoko, Blake. And those people at Saturnia… they need you,” she urges, her image flickering slightly as if emphasizing the importance of her plea. “Blake, ask yourself, would Riku do the same for you?”
Selena’s words crash over him, a single, echoing question in his mind. Her hologram fades away like mist, and Blake stands alone with a heavy choice to make. The vow he made to abandon space now collides with his desperate need to save Yoko and the survivors at Saturnia. He knows the cost: leaving this place means he can no longer talk to Selena and Miguel daily, abandoning the only connection he has left to them. The past and present wage a brutal internal battle as he wrestles with his decision.
Blake stands up slowly, his joints protesting as he walks to the window. The morning sun casts long shadows across his living room, and Apollo pads over to sit beside him, sensing his master’s turmoil. Blake’s reflection stares back from the window—gray hair, lined face, eyes that have seen too much loss. Riku’s desperate face haunts his thoughts.
Squeezing his eyes shut, Blake inhales deeply. “You’re right, Selena,” he says to himself.
He taps a digital key on Riku’s card, and his holoview instantly scans the command code. A moment later, Riku’s face appears, and Blake wastes no breath. “Riku, I’m in.”
“I’m glad to hear it,” Riku replies, relief in his voice. “A deployment ship will come to your location to pick you up. The RV point is the UN Space Force station, Phoenix, in orbit.”
“I’ll be ready….” Blake pauses. “Riku…”, he adds, “I’m doing this for Yoko.”
“Thank you, my friend,” Riku says warmly. “This means so much to me. I can’t thank you enough.”
Blake packs his kit and fills the automatic pet feeder with dog food and water. Apollo whines at the sight of the travel bag. He kneels down, his knees protesting the bend, stroking Apollo’s soft fur, the movement a little slower than it used to be.
“Take care of the house, Apollo,” he murmurs to his dog, “I’ll be back before you know it.” He lingers for a moment longer before walking towards the AI simulator console. “Selena, Miguel,” he says softly. The holographic images of Selena and Miguel materialize in front of him again. “I have to go now,” he tells them.
Selena’s hologram tilts her head slightly, her eyes filled with a programmed understanding. “Blake, you always come back. And we will be waiting for you here. “Be careful out there,” she says in a voice that sounds like many talks they’ve had before.
Miguel’s hologram flickers, his small face bright with innocent concern. “Dad, are you going on another adventure?” he asks, his voice carrying that familiar childlike curiosity that always tugs at Blake’s heart.
“Yes, buddy. I’ll be back soon. Take care of your mother for me while I’m gone, okay?”
With a final, lingering glance, Blake powers down the console. The holograms flicker and fade, leaving him and Apollo alone in the light of the room.
The sounds of loud engines outside shake the peaceful room as a UNSS deployment cruiser descends from the sky. The dark, gunmetal gray vessel contrasts with the suburban environment of Blake’s housing area while it docks at the landing pad.
Blake takes a final look towards Apollo. He gives his dog a farewell gesture before ascending the boarding ramp of the space cruiser. The crew welcomes him aboard. After taking his seat, the engines roar beneath him, and the vessel surges upward lifting off from Miami.
Looking out the window, Miami gets smaller. Its tall buildings shrink until they look tiny against the wide Earth below. The ship rises steadily upward. Its loud engines shake Blake’s chest with deep, raw power.
The vibrant colors of the atmosphere reach the stratosphere, the azure sky blending into the dark void of space. His hands turn into fists, the anxiety of going back into space gripping him. Yet, the thought of aiding his old comrade drives him. He knows the risks, the potential for danger that hides in space. But he also knows the value of loyalty, of standing by one’s friends in their time of need. And so, he prepares himself, ready to face whatever challenges await him in the great beyond.
The UNSS Space Station Phoenix comes into view. The size of the station is breathtaking, overshadowing the vessel transporting him. The docking procedure is smooth and quick. The ship nestles itself into one of the station’s docking bays and with a final jolt, they’ve arrived.
Stepping off the ship, Blake is met with a familiar face. Admiral Harrison of the United States stands before him, a stern look on his face. The years have been kind to him; his hair may be grayer but his eyes still hold that familiar fire.
“Adams,” Harrison greets him with a friendly tone. His voice echoes in the bay.
Blake salutes the admiral. “Admiral Harrison,” he says, extending his hand with an even tone. “It’s good to see you again. My congratulations on your promotion to the flag ranks, Sir. Last time we met you were still a Colonel.”
Harrison salutes back and accepts the handshake with a firm grip. “Thank you, Blake. I am now serving as the delegate for the United States in the UNSS Council. I have temporarily reinstated your rank as a Major for this mission,” he explains. “I’m pleased to have you leading the team. Your expertise is much needed.”
“You can count on me, Sir,” he promises him.
Admiral Harrison gives another nod in approval. “Welcome back to the Space Force, Major Adams. My staff will guide you to the mission briefing room.”