An Offer

Morning light filtered through the city's towering skyscrapers as Kai prepared for the day. He had already showered, dressed in the new clothes he'd bought with Hana and Jack yesterday, and finished a hearty breakfast at the hotel restaurant on the third floor. As he sipped the last of his coffee, a notification popped up in his vision: "Young man, come to my office. I have something we need to discuss. -Unknown."

It didn't take a genius to figure out who sent it. General Hackett was the only one who called him "young man." Still, why the need to hide his name in the message? Shaking off the thought, Kai left the hotel and summoned a ride—a flying car, no less. The service functioned like a futuristic version of Earth's transportation apps, but the experience of soaring above the city was exhilarating, like a dream come true for someone from Earth.

The ride from the hotel to the office wasn't far, taking only about half an hour. Walking would have taken over an hour, and Kai silently thanked whoever made this technology possible. Once inside the building, he made his way to the elevator, already knowing his destination. This elevator had no buttons; instead, he tapped his wrist against the sleek panel near the door, and it immediately began its ascent. Perhaps General Hackett had embedded a link in the message to grant him access.

When the elevator doors slid open, Kai stepped out into a familiar hallway. The two guards from yesterday stood flanking the office door, as stoic as ever. Kai nodded at them out of habit before entering. The office was as imposing as before, but this time, General Hackett wasn't seated behind his desk. Instead, he stood by the large glass window, his hands clasped behind his back, staring out at the sprawling cityscape below—or perhaps lost in thought about something far more pressing.

General Hackett stood at the massive glass window, staring out at the sprawling city below. His presence was imposing, even when silent. Without turning around, he finally spoke, his voice steady and authoritative. "I trust you had a productive day yesterday."

Kai nodded, recalling the whirlwind of events with Hana and Jack. It had been an exhausting but surprisingly enjoyable day. "Yeah, it was good," he replied, keeping his response brief.

Hackett finally turned to face him, his expression unreadable. He moved back to his desk, gesturing for Kai to take the seat across from him. The air in the room felt heavy, almost as though the walls themselves anticipated the conversation to come.

"You've had some time to get accustomed to our world," Hackett said, his tone measured. He didn't wait for a reply. "That's good, because I have an important proposition for you—one that could alter the course of your life."

Kai sat straighter, the weight of those words sinking in. His life had already taken an unfathomable turn; what more could possibly be in store?

Hackett leaned forward, his sharp gaze locking onto Kai. "We're planning to restart space exploration," he said plainly. "But this isn't just a revival of old missions. It's a singular, highly specialized operation—one we can't afford to fail. And you…" Hackett paused for effect. "You would lead it."

The words hit Kai like a shockwave. Captain of a new mission? His breath caught as memories of his past surfaced—the Odyssey, his lost crewmates, the sheer chaos of survival. This was far from anything he'd expected.

Hackett continued, his tone unwavering. "You're uniquely qualified for this. Your knowledge, your resilience, and your experiences set you apart from anyone else here. This is your chance to make a mark—not just on this world but beyond it."

Kai's mind reeled as he tried to process the enormity of the offer. He wasn't sure whether to feel honored, overwhelmed, or terrified. One thing was certain: his life, already so far from normal, was about to change once again.

Kai stared at the floor, his thoughts churning like a storm. The weight of the offer bore down on him, and his mind scrambled for clarity. Could he walk away from something this monumental? Did he even have that option? He finally broke the silence, his voice low. "What happens if I say no?"

Hackett's response came without hesitation, his tone calculated and firm. "The operation will proceed regardless," he said, his words measured. "But without you as the leader, or the Odyssey as the chosen vessel, the risks will be far greater. A failure is highly probable, and with it, the loss of dozens of lives."

Kai's chest tightened. The answer wasn't surprising, but it hit harder than he expected. Hackett's reasoning wasn't just logical—it was pointed. He wasn't simply laying out the facts; he was planting seeds of doubt, responsibility, and guilt. If Kai refused, it would be easy to see the inevitable failure as his fault. Lives could be lost, and the shadow of their deaths would follow him, regardless of whether he was physically there or not.

Hackett leaned back in his chair, his piercing eyes never leaving Kai. There was no doubt in Kai's mind that this was deliberate—a strategy honed by years of command. Manipulative, yes, but also highly effective. This man didn't rise to the rank of General through kindness.

Kai's jaw tightened as he processed the implications. Hackett wasn't offering a choice; he was presenting an ultimatum dressed as an opportunity. Refusing wouldn't just mean stepping away—it would mean carrying the burden of what might follow.

Hackett's words lingered in the air, heavy and unshakable. Kai didn't respond immediately. He needed more time to decide—if this was even a decision at all.

Kai leaned back in his chair, his mind racing. "What else should I know? The team? The budget? Resources? I need to know everything necessary to make this work," he pressed, his tone edging toward frustration. He wanted answers—needed them—to grasp the magnitude of what he was agreeing to.

Hackett's expression remained unchanged, his demeanor as unyielding as steel. "That information is classified," he replied bluntly. "Only those officially part of the operation will have access to the full details. What I can tell you is this: everything you need will be provided. But I need your decision now. The clock is ticking, young man."

The weight of Hackett's words hung in the air like a storm cloud. Kai's mind churned with every possible scenario, every potential consequence. Refusing might absolve him of responsibility, but it would leave him with questions—and regrets—that would haunt him forever. Accepting, on the other hand, meant diving headfirst into the unknown, trusting a system that had already failed him once.

He closed his eyes for a moment, trying to silence the noise in his head. Memories of his crew flashed before him—faces he could never forget. Lives lost on a mission meant to explore, to push boundaries, to bring humanity closer to the stars. Was he ready to shoulder that burden again?

Finally, he drew a deep breath and straightened his posture. Meeting Hackett's gaze with unwavering resolve, he made his choice.

"I accept," he said firmly, his voice steady.

For a brief moment, Hackett's cold facade softened ever so slightly. A flicker of approval crossed his face, but it vanished as quickly as it appeared. "Good," he said decisively. "You've made the right choice, young man. Welcome to the operation."

Kai barely had time to process Hackett's words before the general continued, his tone unrelenting. "But," he added, leaning back in his chair, "the operation won't begin immediately. It will take a few months to get everything in order. We'll need to recruit a capable team willing to join the mission, repair and upgrade your spaceship, Odyssey, allocate resources, and finalize the funding required for this operation."

Kai furrowed his brows, already sensing the weight of what was to come.

"And most importantly," Hackett pressed on, his gaze locking onto Kai's, "you'll need training. Experience alone isn't enough. You're not physically strong or skilled enough in combat. Space isn't just about exploration—it's about survival. If you encounter threats out there, you'll need the knowledge and skills to protect yourself and your crew."

Kai's shoulders tensed as Hackett listed everything that needed to be addressed. This man was clever—pressuring him into accepting the offer, only to reveal it wouldn't start for months. As it turned out, despite his experience and knowledge, Kai wasn't quite up to par. He would need to be stronger, more skilled in battle, and better prepared to navigate the complexities of this alien world.

"You'll also need to learn about this planet's systems—its history, economy, geography, geopolitics, and more. What you know from Earth won't be enough here. Consider this your chance to adapt, to become the captain we need," Hackett added, his voice as firm as ever.

Kai let out a long exhale. It felt like he was being sent back to school, but this time the stakes were much higher. Only then, after completing the training and preparations, would he be deemed fit to lead this mission.

As Hackett's words hung in the air, Kai's thoughts began to wander. The concept of time here was something he was still adjusting to. Unlike Earth, which took 12 months to complete its orbit, this planet operated on a 10-month calendar. Weeks here were eight days long instead of seven, making a year 350 days. Each month had 35 days, but curiously, the length of a day—24 hours—remained the same.

By this system, Kai realized, he was technically a year older than his Earth age of 23, putting him at 24. Not a massive difference, but enough to make him feel like an outsider. His IC still displayed his Earth age, a subtle reminder of the life he'd left behind.

Hackett's voice broke through his thoughts. "Adjusting to this will be part of your training, too. But don't worry—you'll have all the support you need."

Kai nodded slowly. There was no turning back now. The road ahead would be challenging, but if it meant fulfilling his role and ensuring the success of this mission, he was ready to face whatever came next.