Nova and Anna stepped off the ramp of the modified shuttle, the black matte surface of the craft shimring faintly with aether energy.
The mont they touched the outer atmosphere of Planet Ursa, Nova had felt it—the dense, saturated aether pressing against the ship like a living force.
Any foreign energy would’ve triggered imdiate counterasures, but Nova had responded instinctively, channeling the sa aether to coat their vessel in a mimicry layer.
A small trick, but effective.
The ship beca cloaked in the planet’s native aether signature, slipping past sensors and surveillance without resistance.
They landed silently outside the periter of the capital city, hidden between tall rocky ridges and foliage reinforced with defensive aether.
The terrain was harsh, controlled, and militarized—just like Ursa was reputed to be.
As Anna stepped down beside him, her eyes scanned the horizon.
"We made it in one piece. That’s impressive, considering what we’re up against."
She said, adjusting the strap of her gun.
Nova gave a brief nod but didn’t slow his pace.
"Keep your guard up. We may be in, but getting out will be harder."
They moved swiftly across the outer roads, walking until the city swallowed them whole.
Towering walls, surveillance drones, and soldiers in gleaming armor patrolled nearly every corner.
Aether generators pulsed like faint heartbeats in the background, powering weapons, shielding infrastructure, and amplifying military control.
The city was made for war.
Anna’s eyes narrowed at the formations of patrols crossing their path at regular intervals.
"This place is locked tighter than anything I’ve seen."
Nova stayed silent, taking in everything—the positioning of guards, the aether scanners at every checkpoint, the closed-loop power systems that blanketed the city.
Then Anna leaned in and muttered low under her breath.
"We need to blend in. And fast."
"Suggestions?"
Nova asked.
She gave a nod toward the nearest plaza, where a group of soldiers stood talking and laughing loudly.
"The Galactic Naval Army. Look at the uniforms. The patrols. If we join, we get cover, a reason to be here, and possibly direct access to where the Ship of Life is being held."
Nova looked at her.
"You want to enlist in the military of the force that stole from ."
Anna shrugged.
"It’s temporary. Think of it as... playing soldier."
Nova didn’t respond right away. Then he said.
"Let’s find out how they’re recruiting first."
They made their way toward the open market area where civilians mingled with off-duty soldiers and chanical vendors floated in mid-air.
Snippets of conversation drifted through the air, and it didn’t take long for them to hear what they needed.
A man in a technician’s vest was complaining loudly to a rchant.
"The new batch of recruits is pitiful! No discipline, no strength, barely able to hold a rifle without trembling. And yet we’re forced to take them. The shortages are so bad, command has no choice."
"Desperate tis. They’ll take anyone with a pulse."
The rchant replied, cleaning a sensor lens.
Anna turned to Nova, a sly smile tugging at her lips.
"Sounds like our way in."
"They’ll regret it."
Nova said flatly.
The warm chatter of the city faded into the background as Anna tugged lightly on Nova’s sleeve. Her voice was low and determined.
"This is the best ti. They’re distracted. If we want in, now’s the mont."
Nova glanced at the two n standing by a rusting aether conduit, uniforms marked with insignias of the lower engineering division.
They were chatting lazily, unaware of the sharp eyes watching them. He gave Anna a curt nod.
Anna straightened her jacket and approached the pair, adopting a softer expression.
"Excuse . I was hoping to ask... where do I go to apply as a chanic for the Naval Force? I ca to Ursa during an interchange program, but I haven’t had a chance to apply yet."
She said, voice polite, sweet, with just the right edge of curiosity.
The two n turned, blinking at first, clearly caught off-guard.
Then, as they properly saw Anna—her earnest eyes, quiet voice, and the way her hair shimred under the filtered sunlight—they almost lted.
One of them, a tall man with shaggy hair and a crooked smile, chuckled nervously.
"You’re here to apply? Really? That’s... rare. Not many people co all the way here looking to get into the engineering corps."
The shorter one chid in.
"You’re way too kind for this place. This base eats people alive. But if you really want to join, we could take you to the station ourselves. Speak on your behalf. Maybe get you a better contract than standard."
"Yeah, you don’t even need to wait in line. We’ve got friends in admin. You’ll be in and working before sundown."
The taller one added eagerly,
Anna smiled sweetly.
"That’s very generous. Thank you."
Just as she was about to say more, a shadow lood behind her.
Nova stepped forward, arms crossed, expression flat and unreadable.
"Include , too. I ca here to apply."
He said.
The two n froze.
One glance at him was enough.
The way his eyes cut through them like blades, the tension in his fra, and the heavy pulse of dormant aether around him—it all scread danger. He didn’t even need to raise his voice.
The shorter man swallowed hard.
"Uh, well... sure, I guess. They’re taking all kinds now..."
But the taller one narrowed his eyes.
A twinge of instinct flared inside him, warning him to stay quiet, but pride shoved it aside. This was their chance to impress Anna—and this humanoid male felt like a threat.
He forced a smirk.
"You sure you’re not just tagging along? A soft-spoken girl like her needs people who know the system. Not soone who’ll just slow her down."
Nova didn’t react imdiately. His eyes scanned them both slowly, as if morizing their features for later.
Anna felt the tension between them and stepped in quickly, trying to ease the mood.
"He’s with . We’re applying together. He’s good at what he does."
She said.
The shorter one laughed weakly.
"Oh yeah? What do you do?"
Nova tilted his head slightly.
"I break things."
Silence.
The taller one’s smirk faded a little.
Anna cleared her throat.
"He ans combat engineering. It’s a specialization."
The two soldiers exchanged glances but reluctantly nodded. They weren’t foolish enough to outright provoke soone like Nova. Not here. Not without backup.
"Alright. Follow us. It’s not far."
The taller one finally muttered.
As they walked, Anna leaned toward Nova and whispered.
"You didn’t have to scare them so much."
Nova looked ahead.
"I was not their target. They were likely after you."
"And?"
"Be careful of them. I don’t have a good feeling about them. They will surely try to do sothing foolish soon. I am sure of it."
Anna bit back a smile.
"I had a feeling you would say sothing like this. Still... I think you scared them enough to make them behave...and I am not a fragile flower that needs to be looked after."
Nova gave a small shrug.
"Good."
Behind them, the two soldiers walked a little faster than usual, whispering in hushed tones about the strange aura of the newcor—and silently deciding to keep their bravado in check.
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