A team of humans arrives on the Lythari homeworld, eager to collaborate on a project that could change the course of both civilizations. But they quickly discover that trust is a currency, curiosity is dangerous, and gravity is optional. As ancient secrets threaten to unravel the fabric of Lythari society, the team must decide whether to expose the truth or let it remain hidden forever.

If you want to read a good science fiction novel, read it.

Stellar Lies

Silence settled over the group, thick and heavy. The towering black monolith of the Core loomed over them, unmoving, unfeeling. And yet, Aiden swore it was aware.

"The city corrects itself," Sira had said.

Mira broke the silence first. "Okay, see, when people say vague, ominous things like that, it usually means bad things happen to people who ask too many questions."

Aiden glanced at her. "Are you saying you'd prefer not to know how an entire alien city decides who qualifies as a 'disruption'?"

"I'm saying I'd prefer to know that after I have an escape plan."

Dr. Vega stepped forward, placing a careful hand on the surface of the monolith. The black stone absorbed the light around it, swallowing reflections like a void. "This material… It's not like the rest of the city."

"It is not meant to be," Sira said, her voice still softer than usual. "The Core must be unchanging so the city can adapt."

Mira crossed her arms. "Sounds like an awful lot of responsibility for one big rock."

Sira turned to her, tilting her head slightly. "It is not one Core."

Aiden frowned. "Wait. You're saying there are more of these?"

"There are many across the city," Sira confirmed. "Each one governs a sector, maintaining balance."

Mira's expression darkened. "That sounds a whole lot like surveillance."

"The city does not 'watch' in the way you mean," Sira replied. "It simply recognizes patterns and disruptions."

"Yeah, that doesn't make it better," Aiden muttered. He turned back to the monolith. "So what happens if one of these things determines something is out of balance?"

"The city corrects itself," Sira repeated.

Mira threw up her hands. "We get that part! But how does it correct itself? Does it move things? Shut down systems? Relocate people? Vaporize anyone who asks too many questions?"

"The method depends on the disruption."

Aiden felt something cold settle in his chest. He wasn't sure if it was fear or just the realization that they might already be classified as one.

Dr. Vega pulled her hand away from the monolith and exhaled slowly. "If your city is so perfect at maintaining balance, then I assume it's never had a failure."

Mira's eyes widened. "Oh my god, has it?"

Aiden's curiosity sharpened. "What happened?"

Sira turned away from the Core and began walking. "I will show you."

Aiden and Mira exchanged a glance.

Mira sighed. "Why do I feel like we're about to see something that makes this place way less impressive?"

Aiden smirked. "Optimism, Mira. You should try it sometime."

"Oh, I tried it once. Hated it."

Dr. Vega shook her head. "We're stalling. Let's go."

The team followed Sira as she led them away from the Core. The pulsing lights of the city guided their steps, shifting in response to their movement. But this time, Aiden noticed something different.

The city wasn't breathing evenly anymore.

Like it was adjusting to them.

And Aiden didn't know if that was a good thing.

A System Without Flaws