"We don't really know where they came from or why they chose the Moon as their staging ground. All we know is that they are here and we must fight so that the next generation doesn't have to."
YEAR - 2130
"Clyck Squad, form up on my wing." Aurora's voice was low over the comms. "We're breaking their blockade."
Her hands rested lightly on the controls of the STΔR–01, a single-seat interceptor wrapped in matte-black plating that drank in starlight. The cockpit hummed around her and holographic displays unfolding in arcs of blue and amber.
Aurora slammed the thrusters, diving into the heart of the enemy formation before her squad could form on her wing. Two interceptors veered toward her, their plasma cannons priming with violet light.
Her thumb hit the trigger. A burst of railgun fire tore through the Elyrian ship's engine core, turning it into an expanding bloom of fire.
The second ship tried to flee but Aurora was already there. She engaged the snap turn maneuver – a move only she had the physical constitution to survive without blacking out. The STΔR–01 whipped around 180 degrees. Within a blink the ship tore apart from the inside and wreckage spiraled outward.
Aurora was already rolling away, eyes searching for the next threat. Three blips fractured across her HUD.
"Captain, three needles on your six!" her wingman, Jace Holloway yelled.
"I see them." she whispered.
She didn't pull away. Instead, she killed her forward momentum entirely, using the reverse thrusters to flip the STΔR–01 on its axis while still drifting forward.
Her squadron followed, they destroyed the three ships in that split second of her drifting. She weaved through wreckage, that would have killed anyone slower.
And the massive Elyrian Mother-ship was retreating behind. "Clyck Squad. The sky is clear, let's head home."
She banked the STΔR–01, the blue light of Earth reflecting off her visor.
The hangar bay of the Sector 4 Base rose beneath them and Aurora guided the Clyck down, engines easing.
"Command, this is Captain Cross of Clyck Squad. Requesting permission to land on Sector 4 Base." she said.
"Clyck Squad, you are clear for landing." came the reply. "Welcome home."
As the landing skids locked into place and the pressurized hiss of the cockpit released, Aurora stood. She wiped a smear of soot from her forehead.
And when she stepped onto the ramp, hundreds of mechanics, soldiers and logistics officers stopped what they were doing and erupted into thunderous applause.
Director Wallace met her at the base of the ramp. "Captain Cross." he said, grabbing her hand. "Today you did better than good. If we keep up at this rate, it's only a matter of time before we win this war."
Aurora pulled off her flight gloves, her expression weary but proud. "That's what we're pushing for, Director. Every ship we drop is one step closer to the end." She glanced at her holographic watch. "And I'd love to stay for the debrief but I've got dinner with my family."
Wallace sighed but nodded. "Fine. But tomorrow, I need you here by 0500."
"Understood. " she said, already walking.
She climbed into her sleek, matte-black Mag-Lev car. It hummed to life, the wheels retracting as it lifted into the air, weaving through the neon-lit spires of the humming city.
Home was quiet, Aurora stepped inside to the smell of cooked meat.
"Mom?" Aurora called out, walking into the kitchen.
Mara Cross turned, her face lighting up. "Aurora, baby! You're home!" Aurora leaned in and kissed her mother's forehead.
"Help me take this meat to the table, honey." Mara said, handing her a heavy ceramic platter.
In the dining room, her father and younger brother were already seated.
"I thought we wouldn't be seeing you for another month." Dr. Elias Cross said.
"We wrapped up the mission early." Aurora said, sitting down. "I'll be on the ground for a while now."
"Good." Dr. Elias said, reaching for the carving knife. "The world feels safer when you're on the ground."
The mood was almost peaceful for a moment, until the wall-mounted news screen flashed.
BREAKING NEWS: Reports coming in from the European Ground Front. Elyrian drop-pods have breached the perimeter. And casualties are estimated in the thousands. Militant forces are being pushed back to the Rhine..."
Screen showed shaky footage of soldiers being vaporized by violet beams. The casualty count scrolled across the bottom of the screen.
Aurora stood up, moving closer to the screen.
"What is this? Wallace said... he said we were winning and that the space blockade was the only thing that mattered." She turned to her family, her voice trembling. "Now what the hell is thid?"
Dr. Elias dropped his fork, he didn't look at the TV. He looked at his hands. "We're losing the war, honey."
"No." Aurora shook her head. "I was just out there and we destroyed their picket line."
"I don't know why Wallace lied to you." Dr. Elias said. "But the ground troops are being slaughtered. And other pilot squads, every time they're sent up, they don't come back. Only you and your team make it back. You're our only line of defense, Aurora."
Lucas, who had been stabbing at his food, suddenly shoved his chair back. And the screech it made Mara flinch.
"Lucas? Where are you going?" Mara asked. "We haven't even started eating yet."
"I can't stand this." Lucas snapped. "I can't stand Dad praising her like she's some god. Like she's the only person on Earth who matters."
"Lucas, stop." Mara pleaded. "Your father is just proud of your sister and you should be too. Your sister is..."
"Yeah, I know! I know!" Lucas turned, his eyes burning. "That's all anyone ever talks about. Aurora Cross, the Savior. Aurora Cross, the Greatest. Meanwhile we're ghosts! We don't exist because we don't blow things up in a cockpit!"
"Lucas, that's not fair." Aurora said softly. "I didn't ask for the fame. I'm doing is–"
"–fighting so that the next generation doesn't have to." Lucas cut in bitterly. "I know that too cause you've said it a thousand times before."
Elias slammed his fist on the table. "Enough, Lucas! Go to your room! Now!"
Lucas glared at his father, then at Aurora – a look of unfiltered jealousy and stormed out, the door slamming behind him.
Aurora looked at the empty chair, then at the news screen showing more death.
"I'm tired." Aurora said, without looking at her parents. "I think I'm just going to go to sleep."
"Aurora, you haven't eaten." Mara said, her voice breaking.
"I'm not hungry, Mom. Sorry." Aurora walked away.
Mara rested her head in her hands, a sob escaping her. "Why can't we just have a normal family dinner? Just once?"
Elias sighed, rubbing his face. "It's always your son. He ruins every good moment we have."
"He's your son too, Elias." Mara snapped, looking up with tear filled eyes. "And he's hurting! You always praise Aurora but you never acknowledge him. He feels like he isn't loved."
Elias stood up. "I do love him, Mara. But I can't acknowledge his work if he hasn't done anything worth acknowledging yet."
Mara looked at him with a mix of pity and anger. "You know what? I lost my appetite too." She pushed her chair back and walked toward the bedroom, leaving Elias alone.
Aurora closed her bedroom door, leaning her back against the door. She was the world's hope but in this house, she was the wedge driving them all apart.