The political crisis had passed. The world's leaders had made their shaky alliance. Now, it was up to the creator to build a miracle.
Jonah and Vanessa were given access to the Academy's cosmological archives. It was a huge chamber where glowing models of stars and planets floated through the air. This was a room of pure theory, a place where the rules of magic met the laws of the universe.
They stood in the middle of the chamber, surrounded by moving nebulas and distant galaxies. A huge holographic screen glowed between them. The screen was blank.
"Okay," Vanessa said. "Let's define the problem."
She began to type, and words appeared on the screen in white letters.
PROJECT: VOID-CLASS PROGENY
"First," she said, in a serious way. "Survival. Space is not a friendly place. It's the most dangerous place you can think of."
A list of requirements appeared on the screen.
