The comm link buzzed. “Osaka Karaoke?” Command Center's usual check-in code. Sara gave the expected response in a choked whisper, “Apple Osaka Karaoke” (A-OK). What else could she say? They only checked to make sure she was alive and in her right mind. And if she wasn't—well, there wasn't much they could do. The buzz [...]

I'm here every night; too tired to fight. Just trying to make it, not fake it. It's hard to be a PK, knowing you want me to say, “It's okay. I still believe.” Though in my heart I still grieve. But I see a world that's gone bad. And it started when Dad Headed out [...]

I grunted as I gazed at the viewport. Black space. Tiny white dots in the distance. Nothing new here. I side-eyed Dad. This was his fault. He acted like he knew where we were going. Dad, a seasoned commander, looked up from the blinking lights of the console. “Still not speaking to me, Tai?” I [...]