The ship plunged through Earth's atmosphere with a thunderous roar, shaking everything inside. A shrill alarm beeped in the cockpit, warning that the ship's stability was failing. Kaelar and Velaria focused intensely, their hands moving rapidly across the glowing holographic panels in an effort to keep the craft on course.
"Reduce speed on the left wing. Navigation is drifting," Kaelar shouted, gripping the control yoke tightly.
Velaria glanced at the flickering red panel. "I know. The stabilizer has been fried since the hyperspace jump. I need a little more time to balance it."
In the back, Lyra, Draven, and Vega exchanged tense looks. Strapped in their seats, they fought against the violent turbulence that kept slamming them around.
"Lyra," Draven called out, clutching his armrest, "if this is the end, I just want you to know I didn't like the food you cooked yesterday."
Lyra turned to him, one brow raised despite the panic on her face. "Perfect timing, Draven. Absolutely perfect."
Draven shrugged with an exaggerated look of calm. "If this is our last conversation, I want to leave a lasting impression."
"Both of you be quiet and hold on," Velaria snapped. "Nobody is flying out of this ship on my watch."
Kaelar drew a deep breath, pushing the craft toward a more stable angle. "Prepare for landing. I don't know how smooth this will be, so stay in your seats."
The ship slammed into the grassy fields of Ravara, skidding a long distance before finally screeching to a halt near Kirana's quiet home. The landing was far from graceful, but the vessel remained intact. A collective sigh of relief filled the cabin.
Kaelar shut down the system and unbuckled his harness. "No one's injured. That's good enough for me."
Velaria stared at him. "Good enough? We nearly dropped out of the sky."
"But we didn't, right?" Kaelar gave a small grin and opened the ramp. "Let's go check the area."
They stepped out onto the dew-soaked ground. Kirana's home stood silent, as if guarding the answers they desperately needed. No one greeted them.
Lyra wiped her forehead, her eyes glistening. "I still can't believe Kirana and Zephyr aren't here. What really happened in hyperspace?"
Draven kicked a pebble, his gaze low. "I'm not even sure what I saw. Aelina, or whatever she has become, transformed right in front of us."
Velaria shook her head. "That wasn't the Aelina we knew. Something was controlling her."
Inside the house, silence wrapped around them. They sat in the main room, forming a loose circle. Vega sat in the corner, eyes fixed on a small device projecting shifting holographic panels. He tapped through the data, searching for clues.
Kaelar folded his arms and approached. "What have you got?"
Vega didn't answer immediately. After a few tense seconds, he finally spoke. "I've picked up a faint signal… extremely faint. It's from Kirana and Zephyr. But they're not in this system."
Lyra's eyes widened. "What do you mean not in this system?"
"They're in Lytherion," Vega said softly.
Draven frowned. "Never heard of it."
Velaria nodded. "Most haven't. Lytherion is barely explored, even by the Edenans. Only a handful of ships can reach it. If they're there, someone must have taken them."
Kaelar leaned over the table. "Can we reach them?"
"Our ship can, but we need time to repair the damage from the landing," Vega replied.
Kaelar straightened. "Then we move fast. If they're alive, time is against us."
Lyra rose to her feet, resolve burning in her eyes. "Draven and I will go to the Althera Desert. They need to know about this. With their help, our chances improve."
"Be careful," Vega warned.
Velaria added, "Vega and I will head to the city for parts. This ship needs serious repairs before hyperspace is even possible."
Kaelar glanced at the ship. "I'll stay and fix whatever I can. Return quickly. We don't know how long Kirana and Zephyr can survive out there."
Lyra grabbed her gear. She looked at the group for a final moment. "Kirana and Zephyr have saved us countless times. Now it's our turn."
Kaelar nodded with quiet respect. "We'll bring them home. No matter what."
As Lyra's footsteps faded toward Althera, Vega and Velaria departed for the city. Kaelar immediately began opening the ship's panels, determination set in his jaw.
Night fell across Ravara, painting the sky golden. Inside the house, only Vega's device filled the silence with faint electronic beeps. Hope endured, even against impossible odds.
A few days later…
Morning light seeped through Kirana's windows, casting warm streaks across the wooden floor. The front door creaked open as Vega and Velaria returned, hauling several large crates of tools and components.
"Finally made it," Vega groaned, dropping the last crate on the table. His neck stiffened from the long trek. "I can't remember the last time I carried something this heavy."
Velaria set down a gleaming metal component. "At least we got everything. With this, our ship has a real chance of flying again."
Vega collapsed onto the sofa. "If I sit too long, I might never get up again."
"Then don't sit," Velaria teased before plopping down beside him. "But I also need a break."
Across the room, Kaelar—who had fallen asleep half sprawled across an old couch—stirred awake. The noise roused him, though his eyes remained half closed.
Velaria snorted. "You're awake. I thought you'd sleep until noon."
Kaelar yawned, stretching like a sluggish bear. "You're loud. How was the trip?"
"Long, exhausting, and full of people staring at me like I was carrying a bomb," Vega replied. "But yes, we got everything."
Kaelar stood and stretched. "Good. I'm going to wash up. Don't touch my food."
He left the room to clean himself, returning a few minutes later in fresh clothes, hair still damp. He carried three cold drink cans and tossed one each to Vega and Velaria.
Vega caught his with a satisfying hiss as he popped it open. "Finally, something cold."
Velaria smirked. "You look more alive. Sleep well?"
"Well enough," Kaelar replied as he sat. "So, what's next? Any updates on Kirana and Zephyr?"
Vega set his drink down, his face turning serious. "I'm still verifying the signal. But from what I've gathered, they're in the Lytherion system, on a desert planet called Thaross."
Kaelar frowned. "Thaross? You're sure?"
Velaria pulled up a digital map and pointed. "The signal is weak but consistent. If they're alive, this is where they are."
Kaelar rubbed his chin. "Then we prepare."
Vega nodded. "With these parts, I can finish repairs in a few days. After that, we attempt the hyperspace jump."
Kaelar asked, "What risks are we facing?"
Velaria answered, "Hyperspace to Lytherion is unstable. Several routes exist, but all of them risk gravitational interference from nearby stars. One wrong turn and we could be trapped out there."
Kaelar took a long sip. "Great. But we don't have a choice. We can't leave them there."
Vega agreed. "We should also expect complications on Thaross. If we detected their signal, the Edenans likely can too."
Kaelar set down his can. "Tell me how to help."
"Check the propulsion system," Vega said. "And prepare the weapons, just in case."
Kaelar nodded. "On it."
Velaria stood. "I'll help with navigation. No errors allowed on this route."
Days passed as they worked tirelessly. Finally, they gathered again in the main room, rough sketches of travel routes scattered across the table.
"I think we're ready," Vega said. "With some luck, we can reach Thaross in a few days."
Kaelar snorted. "I prefer preparation over luck."
Velaria chuckled. "Both always help."
Kaelar leaned back. "We depart tomorrow night. Be ready for anything."
Vega raised his can. "For Kirana and Zephyr."
Velaria lifted hers. "For all of us."
Kaelar echoed them. "Let's finish what we started."
The next night, under Ravara's starry sky, they launched.
Vega sat in the pilot's seat, scanning rows of holographic indicators. Kaelar checked his weapon. Velaria reviewed the hyperspace routes.
"Systems ready," Vega announced. "Propulsion stable. Energy full. Route locked in."
"Good," Velaria said. "Let's avoid surprises this time."
Kaelar looked up. "When has hyperspace ever been smooth?"
Velaria grinned. "Fair point. But we don't have the luxury of waiting."
"Exactly," Vega added. "If their signal fades, we lose everything."
Vega initiated the jump. "Hyperspace in three… two… one."
The ship plunged into the glowing corridor of hyperspace, bathed in swirling blue and violet currents.
Kaelar stared out the window. "I never get used to this. Feels like we're challenging the universe itself."
Velaria tried to hide her nerves. "We'll make it."
"We've passed the halfway mark," Velaria reported.
"Wait," Vega said, his voice tightening. He pointed to a spiraling distortion ahead. "What is that?"
Velaria enlarged the display. "A gravitational trap. One of the anomalies reported earlier."
Kaelar approached. "Can we avoid it?"
Vega shook his head. "Not entirely. The passage is too narrow. We have to skim the edge. One mistake and we'll be pulled in."
"If we fall out of hyperspace here, we could be thrown anywhere. Or destroyed," Velaria warned.
"We won't be destroyed," Vega said.
He adjusted the controls sharply. "But hold on."
The ship trembled violently as they neared the anomaly.
"Gravity increasing," Velaria shouted. "Autonav might lose control."
"Reduce hyperspace speed," Vega ordered himself. "But it'll keep us here longer."
"Do it," Kaelar commanded.
The ship slowed and the turbulence worsened.
They lurched dangerously close to the spiraling void. Vega yanked the controls, muscles tensed, sweat dripping.
"Five seconds," Vega muttered.
"That might be too long," Kaelar barked.
"Trust me."
With a sudden, decisive maneuver, Vega tilted the ship and pulled it free. The turbulence faded.
They all exhaled deeply.
"We're clear," Velaria confirmed.
"Told you," Vega whispered, exhausted.
Kaelar clapped his shoulder. "Good work."
Hours later, Lytherion appeared on the screen, its twin dim stars surrounded by scattered planets.
"There it is," Velaria said. "Thaross is the third orbit."
Vega prepared the descent. "This won't be easy."
Kaelar stood. "We're ready."