Chapter 5

"You must understand, your daughter is the world's only defense against the Altair," Director Shapley said, his tone measured.

"I don't care!" Her mom's voice raised to a fevered pitch. "You're not making my Rose a soldier! Besides, it makes no sense. Why is my daughter the only one that can pilot that demonic monstrosity?"

The two adults continued to argue, neither giving an inch. As usual, nobody seemed to care what Rose thought. At least her father was more understanding about the reality of the situation. He tried to intercede on her behalf, trying to calm down his wife. Still, getting thrust into a war didn't thrill her, either.

"Thanks, future me! Thanks a lot!" Rose scowled. Still, if she didn't have a choice, she'd fight. She could do this. After all, she destroyed those Altair without issue. An entire invasion? Piece of cake! She hoped.

"I'm going to the lady's room." Without seeking permission from the adults, Rose abandoned the room and its tiring conversation. She wandered the government facility, curious about its workings.

"Wow," Rose stared wide-eyed at the facility they used to conduct Luyten V's maintenance. Despite its flat, implacable features, the robot seemed to watch her with interest as she entered. The tech was bleeding edge, far beyond anything she'd ever seen in her dinky little town. Some scientists eyed her with curiosity, but continued with their work.

"Fascinating, right?" A nearby scientist at a workstation said, interrupting her gawking. He was tall but well-built, with a bushy mustache fluttering as he spoke with a thick Russian accent. He smiled at her and waved for her to come closer.

On the man's terminal were computations that boggled the mind, Rose having difficulty absorbing it all. "Wow."

"I heard you have quite a knack for the mechanical," the scientist gestured to the project he was working on. "What do you think?"

Rose peered closer. It appeared to be Luyten V's mechanical skeleton. "It's masterful. The legs are thick and strong to support the Luyten V's weight, yet light and delicate enough to move like a human. I'm amazed anything that size can even stand. Wouldn't the square-cube law work against it?" The larger an object gets, the greater the strain on the structure because of its increased mass. 

"Clever observation," the scientist replied, pleased. He extended a hand. "Doctor Vasiliy Idelson."

"Rose Brahe," she grabbed the older man's hand and shook it. "What is the Luyten V made from? Steel couldn't hold that much weight."

"That's still a mystery," Idelson admitted sheepishly. "An alloy of unknown composition. Very unusual."

Rose nodded and asked other technical questions. Much to her satisfaction, Doctor Idelson was happy to supply the answers. While the advanced scientific principles were difficult to understand, Rose gained a vague understanding of how the robot worked.

"There you are," an annoyed Sandage said, walking up to them.

"Just exploring," Rose said without shame. If she designed this stupid thing, she deserved to know its inner workings.

"I'm showing her how the Luyten V works," Idelson said.

"Doctor Idelson, that confidential information," Sandage scowled. He eyed the Russian scientist with a guarded, suspicious expression. Old prejudices died hard, she supposed. They were at war with aliens. Shouldn't they all be friends as fellow humans?

But like Rose, Idelson held no shame. "Ms. Brahe is a talented young lady. We should recruit her to the research team. Her input would be highly valuable."

"Funny," Sandage said, unamused. "Come, Rose. Your parents are ready to leave."

"Fine." But she smiled as Idelson gave her a conspiratorial wink. If she returned, she'd love to speak more with him. It was rare to meet someone with a similar love for the unknown. She burned with the desire to tear apart the Luyten V and see how it all worked.

"You'll be happy to know your mom ok'd you to pilot the Luyten V," Sandage said without preamble as they walked down the halls.

"Really? How'd they convince her?"

"Director Shapley can be quite persuasive." Yet, Rose detected this development didn't please Sandage.

"Is something wrong?" Was he convinced she couldn't do it? It was an odd change, considering his encouragement when she fought with the Altair scout. Was something going on?

"I argued against it, but they went ahead anyway," Sandage fought back the bitterness in his voice. Rose pressed the point, but the government agent refused to elaborate as they walked down the halls.

"Okay." An awkward silence hung between them as they walked. It broke as Sandage said something else.

"Just know this, Rose," Sandage hardened his jaw, his face filling with determination. "We will do whatever it takes to protect you. We have your back, always."

"Sure." Rose blinked in confusion. Wasn't he against her a second ago? Whatever. Adults were weird and often contradictory. Still, the encouragement heartened her. With this awesome team behind her, how could she lose?

---

"I'm fine, Georges. You don't need to worry about me." Rose stuck her head further into her book.

"I'm just worried about you, Rose. Apparently, they've recruited you to mold you into their personal soldier, brainwashed to do whatever they want!" her friend said, scowling. 

"That's not true!" Rose snapped back. It wasn't like she wanted this. 

"Just leave her alone, Georges," Vera said, rolling her eyes. "Stop being so pushy."

"So, it doesn't bug you that the government has a jack-booted thug trailing Rose wherever she goes?" Georges whispered, pointing to the black-suited man in the corner of their study hall.

"Mr. Brown? He's cool," Rose waved towards her bodyguard, who responded with a slight nod. While on duty, the granite-faced man seemed more like a stone carved statue. While alone, however, she found him friendly and easy to talk to. They shared similar interests and enjoyed bouncing ideas off him.

"It's like Grandpa says, they're always tracking us." Georges took on a conspiratorial tone. "Did you hear about the secret chips they install in microwaves? Totally a way to spy on us."

"How would that even work? Why would you even spy on someone from their kitchen?" Rose said, exasperated.

"I'm just saying," Georges replied. "Trust me. Things are going to get bad soon. They're already talking about a world government!"

That particular conversation had recently gained some major steam, trending on many social media sites. With people scared about the Altair, some proposed that a single world government would better pool humanity's resources to fight them. Politicians were throwing their weight around to strengthen ties with their allies and once-rivals. While Rose didn't give it much credence, it was an interesting thought experiment.

"It's awfully convenient that the Altair showed up when our relationship with the Russians was at an all-time low. Grandpa says we're way too friendly with the Russians now. It isn't natural!" Georges continued.

"Georges, stop parroting whatever your grandfather says," Rose said, annoyed. Since Georges' parents died when he was three, he'd lived alone with his grandfather almost his entire life. While a nice enough man most of the time, he seemed somewhat unhinged sometimes. 

Georges opened his mouth to continue his rant, but Hans stopped him in his usual curt way. "Shut up, Georges. No one cares about your ridiculous theories."

Thank you. Rose sighed in relief. For once, they were in total agreement. Georges grumbled to himself, chastened.

"Anyway, I'm surprised they're still allowing you to go to school here," Vera said, changing the topic. "You'd think they'd lock in some lab somewhere."

"Eh, they want some stability in my life. They said the normality would keep my spirits up." 

"Are they having you train?" Hans suddenly asked. "Piloting the Luyten V can't be easy on your body."

"Don't remind me. They have me up three hours early every morning for physical training." Rose's muscles ached from being pushed far past their natural limits. Worse, they promised to amp up the difficulty. She really wanted to complain to her future self for putting her through this nonsense.

Much to Rose's surprise, Hans' expression softened. "Keep with it."

"Huh?" Rose blinked, surprised by the sudden kindness. Before she could comment, Hans had disappeared. She only shook her head. The world was getting crazy lately. It seemed like anything could happen. For reasons that ashamed Rose somewhat, she wished they remained that way. Despite the ever-present dangers, it was exciting, 

"Hello, class," Ms. Sagan said as they entered math class. They each took their seats, but their teacher didn't start the class as expected. Instead, a girl Rose had never seen before entered their classroom. The first thing that struck her was the newcomer's unusual size. Rose almost assumed the newcomer was a high schooler, the girl reaching almost her father's height.

"Hello. My name is Cecilia Burbidge. It is nice to meet you," the tall girl gave the class a bow.

"What's with the formality?" Vera whispered to her. How the girl spoke was odd, stilled. The newcomer's clothes were simple, baggy pants and a pink sweatshirt. It was an unusual contrast to the prim and proper way she spoke. She didn't seem like someone from high society.

"I wonder if she was homeschooled," Rose wondered. The newcomer seemed oddly wide-eyed as she entered the classroom, like she'd never seen one before. While everyone was whispering about how strange their newest classmate was, Rose's heart warmed to the girl. The poor thing seemed lost as class began, having trouble concentrating with so many strangers around. Rose swore to lend Cecilia her notes later.

"Is this seat taken?" Rose said, sitting next to their newest classmate. The lunchroom bustled with activity, each student rushing to their usual click or friend group. Rose, however, chose a different option. 

"Oh, Brahe. Um, hi!" Cecilia said awkwardly. "Sure, why not!"

"Good. Are you adjusting well to Dee Middle?" Rose asked, biting into her garlic bread. While the lasagna wasn't anything special, garlic bread was impossible to mess up.

"Perfectly," the other girl replied. "Shouldn't you join your other friends?" The other girl pointed to her pair of friends waving her over. But Rose only dismissed them with a shake of her head.

"Nonsense. I'm more interested in you. You're attending a new school. It can't be easy. Were you homeschooled before this?"

"Yes, you could say that, Brahe."

But Rose only laughed. "No need to be formal. We're all friends here."

"Friends, but we've just met?" The other girl looked down, blushing. Had this girl never had friends before? From her stilted position, Rose supposed Cecilia didn't hang out often with others her age. 

"Nonsense. We've talked, so we're friends now."

"I've read it takes years to develop a deep connection to someone. Yet, you've only known me for seconds before calling me a friend?"

"Like I said, don't worry about it."

The girl looked down, fidgeting somewhat. "Thanks. Everyone's been staring at me. They think I'm some oddball."

"They're just not used to you. Give it a few weeks. You'll just be another part of the furniture."

Cecilia stared at her hands before replying. "You're not what I expected. You're upbeat, considering the scary stuff that's happened to you."

"That?" Rose snorted. "I'm not worried about the Altair. Luyten V and I are becoming a great team. We'll smash them like the others."

This comment made Cecilia go quiet, her face going pale. She started quaking.

"Is something the matter?"

"Aren't you worried that you're in over your head?"

Rose saw the worry and sensitivity in the other girl's eyes. "Look, I'm just trying to make sure everyone's safe. With the Altair threat hanging over us like a noose, people need to know I'm standing firm, that I'm invincible." 

This comment made Cecilia speechless. She stared down at her hands, troubled. Rose wanted to reassure the girl everything was okay, but Vera had lost patience and butted onto their table. Vera introduced herself and asked hundreds of probing questions that Cecilia had trouble answering. After the rather grim nature of their conversation, it was a comedic and welcome relief.

"And who dressed you?" Vera said, picking at the shoulder of Cecilia's plain sweatshirt. As usual, the girl liked to speak her mind and forgot about tact. "They have no fashion sense."

"Really?" Cecilia looked down at her outfit. "I suppose so. The doctor thinks that function takes precedence over appearance."

"Doctor?" Vera asked, perking up with interest.

"I don't really have parents, so Doctor Burbidge raised me," Cecilia replied. It explained the girl's remarkable intelligence. While socially awkward, she'd answered every question the teachers had asked her with perfect accuracy. 

"I'm sorry to hear that." Though it must be nice not having parents muck everything about. While she loved her parents, Rose had to admit they were often difficult. In their rush to attend to her other siblings, she'd regularly get missed in the rush. 

Vera clicked her tongue. "Yes, this won't do. After school, we're having an emergency shopping session."

"Fine," Rose said, rolling her eyes. While she enjoyed shopping, she didn't share her friend's passion for fashion. "Then we can watch Stella afterward."

It was her friend's turn to roll her eyes. "Must we?"

"Stella?" Cecilia asked.

"She's an indie vTuber." When the new girl responded with a blank stare, Rose clarified. "Basically a streaming celebrity, but with more anime."

"Oh, it's an internet thing," Cecilia replied. "I've never really used the internet growing up. I was more interested in reading and drawing."

"What?" Both Vera and Rose stared at the girl like she'd grown a second head. Did Cecilia live in a cave before today?

"Then you must watch Stella's stream with me," Rose said, declaring this like it was a holy decree. "She's doing karaoke tonight."

"Oh." Cecilia showed little enthusiasm to this pronouncement. She sighed as her new friends rambled at her excitedly, ignoring her meek protestations.

---

Ever consuming nothing pressed against them as they traveled through the void. Nothing existed here, not even time. Even to the implacable Altair, the void was oppressive and lonely. To less single-minded and focused beings, they would've long broken their sanity. But to the Altair, it only heightened their appetite when they arrived at something. There, they'd gorge themselves on reality. This newest universe seemed the most appetizing, full of life and vigor. They'd feed well. All they needed to do was wait for the scout's report. 

The odd, unknown scout had led them to a world brimming with intelligent, industrial beings. While their technology seemed primitive and non-threatening, the Altair wanted all their children to enjoy the fest. It won't throw away its numbers for only minimal gain. So it'd sent the scout to soften up their defenses, filling the planet with despair, as they failed to fight even a single of their number. 

In the void, the Altair slept, conserving their energy for the feast. Only the Grand Intelligence stayed awake, planning and scheming until the Altair scout returned with news of its success.

"Impossible!" A jolt slashed through the Grand Intelligence's mind as its child died, consumed by fire. It wailed in pain and grief over the loss of its child. It'd bravely thrown itself into an unknown world to gauge its strength. Rage filled the Grand Intelligence, lashing out in fury at the outrage. How did these tiny beings kill such a formidable foe as the scout? 

As the Grand Intelligence's outrage subsided, icy, frigid logic replaced it. Clearly, this planet has sharper teeth than it'd first suspected. They would need to handle this Earth with delicate care to avoid senseless Altair loss. It read the flashes of insight the brave scout had sent through the void before its death. While fragmentary, the images of the Red Demon were clear to the Grand Intelligence. 

The countenance of this terrible foe was quite fearsome, its power mighty. But its readings were odd, of an almost familiar color. The demon didn't belong, somehow alien to this reality. 

Grand Intelligence projected a command to one of the mightiest of its three generals. And Okab the Terminator answered the call. Green floated before the Grand Intelligence, subordinate to its wishes. It nodded its understanding, compiling in perfect obedience. This child won't fail. It'd destroy this new enemy through cunning instead of brute force.

The Altair shifted in the void, waking from their slumber. They hungered after their lost voyage, eager to hunt. The Grand Intelligence coxed them, working them up into a frenzy. Once Okab's mission was complete, they'd feed.