The Moment of Truth

The time has come.

Six months of intense training, grueling lessons, and preparation—all leading up to this moment. Today marks the beginning of the space exploration operation.

Kai strides toward the grand hall, where an audience awaits. He knows who will be there: General Hackett, the three instructors who pushed him beyond his limits—Coach Armstrong, Professor Madya, and Coach Leo. But most importantly, his new crew—handpicked by the General himself—awaits him. The people he will be leading. The ones who will join him aboard the Odyssey.

The Odyssey.

It was once a simple exploration vessel, but now? It is the pinnacle of human engineering. The highest-tier spacecraft ever produced by the United Nations of Western Continent (UNWC).

Its interior has been completely overhauled—transformed into a ship capable of sustaining life for months, maybe even years. While its original design was functional, it lacked space and accommodations for a long-term mission.

Now, it boasts four fully equipped floors, each serving a vital purpose:

First Floor – The Captain's Quarters. A private space designed for Kai alone, giving him a place to rest, think, and plan.

Second Floor – The Control Deck. The heart of the Odyssey. This is where ship navigation, data transmission, and galactic analysis take place. The main entrance is also located here. Toward the rear, this floor houses the laboratory, weapons workshop, and the meeting room—all crucial to their survival and mission success.

Third Floor – The Living Quarters. Crew bedrooms, a medbay, emergency escape pods, a kitchen, a dining hall, a bar, and even a gym. Everything necessary to maintain both physical and mental health during deep-space travel.

Fourth Floor – The Engineering Bay & Weapon Storage. This level is split into two sections: The first half is the engine room, where engineers will monitor the ship's systems, ensuring everything runs smoothly. Any damage sustained in space must be repaired immediately to prevent catastrophe. The second half is the vehicle bay, storing the Rover and Spinner, essential for planetary exploration also, where the gun for the ship is located.

As Kai nears the hall, he takes a deep breath.

This is it.

The journey into the unknown begins now.

As Kai steps into the grand hall, the air is thick with anticipation. General Hackett is already waiting for him, standing tall beside the three instructors who shaped him into the man he is today.

The General notices his arrival and nods. "You have arrived, young man." He gestures to a spot beside him. Kai steps forward without hesitation, standing at attention.

"In front of you are your crew members—the people you will be leading on this operation."

Kai's gaze sweeps over the thirty individuals standing in formation—five rows, six columns. These are the ones chosen to accompany him beyond the stars.

Hackett's voice booms across the hall. "Attention! Introduce yourselves to your captain."

A resounding "Yes, sir!" echoes in unison before the first person steps forward.

"I am Luis Lopez, the weapon calibrator." The man on the far left introduces himself, his voice steady and firm.

Next to him, a man in a white lab coat speaks. "I am Nathan Windhill, the lead scientist." His analytical gaze meets Kai's, radiating intelligence.

The next two step forward simultaneously. "We are Leo and Noah, the engineers." Their voices synchronize perfectly. "We're twins, as you can see, sir."

Indeed, they are identical—except for one detail. Leo's hair is jet black, while Noah's is a rich brunette. Apart from that, their features are nearly indistinguishable.

Then, the next crew member speaks—and Kai is taken aback.

"Hi, Captain~ I'm Natasha Volkova. I'll be working as a doctor."

Natasha.

His Natasha.

Kai blinks in surprise, his lips parting slightly. She never told him she would be part of the operation. He was preparing to embark on this journey with complete strangers—but now, he has her. His heart swells with relief and gratitude.

She just smirks at his reaction. Cheeky as ever.

Finally, the last person in the front row steps forward. "Nice to meet you, Captain. My name is Jeanne Keller. I will be your personal assistant."

Her tone is professional, precise, and polished. Kai observes her—long, straight black hair, skin pale as snow. Her attire is pristine and fitting for her role: a crisp white shirt under a tailored black blazer, nearly rounded glasses resting perfectly on her face, a pencil skirt above her knees, and black pump heels. She holds a tablet in one hand, her posture composed and refined.

She is beautiful.

But Kai keeps his expression neutral. He has Natasha. That thought alone is enough to keep him focused.

The rest of the crew introduces themselves.

Minutes later…

The crew had already entered the Odyssey, setting up their rooms, unloading their equipment, and running final checks on the ship's systems. The hum of machinery echoed in the docking bay as engineers powered up the engines.

Kai was just about to step onto the ramp when a familiar voice called from behind.

"Young man!"

He stopped and turned around—General Hackett. But it wasn't just him.

Beside the General stood three unfamiliar figures—yet their presence alone commanded authority. They were dressed in the finest military and governmental attire, their posture rigid, their expressions unreadable.

Hackett approached, his tone formal. "Before you embark on your journey, I would like to introduce you to these individuals." He gestured toward the trio.

Kai immediately straightened his back, sensing the weight of this moment.

The first figure, standing to the left, was a woman in her 40s, wearing a pristine white uniform adorned with dozens of medals. There was an air of strict discipline about her, the kind that reminded Kai of a teacher who tolerated no nonsense.

The second figure, in the center, towered over them all—easily two meters tall. His frame was built like a tank, even larger than Coach Armstrong, yet there was something even more formidable about him. Raw power. It was as if Kai and Armstrong were mere rookies compared to this mountain of a man.

The third figure, to the right, seemed… normal. At first glance, he was just a man in his 30s, about the same height as General Hackett. But something about him was off—Kai couldn't place it, but there was a subtle, invisible pressure around him. It wasn't strength, nor was it intimidation. It was something else entirely.

"I introduce you to our Presidents," Hackett declared.

"Victoria Lancaster, Thomas Harrington, and Nathaniel Grave."

Kai's breath hitched for a second.

The Presidents?!

Hackett's voice sharpened. "Pay your respect, young man."

Without hesitation, Kai snapped to attention.

"It is an honor to meet you, Sir, Ma'am." His voice was firm, unwavering. "I am Kai Izanagi, the captain of the operation."

He held his salute.

Kai remembered learning about UNWC's political structure back in class.

The United Nations of the Western Continent (UNWC) was both a continent and a country, its sheer landmass rivaling entire civilizations. Because governing it under a single ruler was impossible, the nation was divided into three sectors, each controlled by one President:

Nathaniel Grave - President of the North

Victoria Lancaster - President of the Central

Thomas Harrington - President of the South

Each of them wielded tremendous influence, overseeing the governance, security, and advancement of one-third of the world's most powerful nation.

Having even one of them present was an extreme rarity.

But all three of them… together, in the same room?

That was almost unheard of.

Kai couldn't help but wonder—why were they here?

Why did the three most powerful individuals in the country choose to meet him before the operation even began?

Nathaniel Grave was the first to speak.

"Nice to meet you, Captain. I am Nathaniel Grave, President of the North. We have heard quite a bit about you from General Hackett."

He extended his hand. Kai shook it firmly, nodding in acknowledgment.

Nathaniel continued, "We have poured billions into this operation. I'm sure the General has informed you of the previous failed attempts." His tone was polite, respectful even, but there was something about him—something that made Kai uneasy.

"We are placing great trust in you for this mission's success."

Kai nodded again, holding his composure. Despite the pleasant words, the pressure behind them was undeniable. However, what struck him as odd was how the other two Presidents, Victoria Lancaster and Thomas Harrington, remained completely silent. They simply watched, allowing Nathaniel to do all the talking.

What was their reasoning?

Regardless, the conversation concluded shortly after, and the Presidents departed.

Stepping onto the Odyssey once more after six months away, Kai felt a strange mix of familiarity and unfamiliarity.

The ship's interior had changed—transformed from a cold, sterile vessel into a fully equipped home for the crew. It was more than a spacecraft now; it was a place where they would live, work, and, possibly, survive for years.

As he moved through the corridors, he reached the command control room. His crew was already stationed, monitors glowing, fingers poised over controls.

A crew member turned to him. "Engine works perfectly, Captain. Everything is in order. We're ready for takeoff. Awaiting your permission."

This was it. The moment they had all been waiting for.

Kai inhaled deeply, then exhaled, steadying himself. "Permission granted."

Nods of affirmation. Fingers danced across the control panels. The Odyssey hummed as the engines roared to life. Slowly, ever so gently, the ship lifted off the ground.

Inside the watchtower, countless eyes were glued to screens—scientists, engineers, doctors, soldiers, high-ranking officers, and the three Presidents. The tension was suffocating.

Some were praying.

Some were sweating, shaking.

But all of them were watching.

Odyssey ascended, passing through the atmosphere, breaking free from the planet's grasp.

"Odyssey, you are free to go."

With those words, the ship surged forward—toward the stars.

"We are currently in space, over."

"Received. Over."

"We are preparing to escape the solar system, over."

A pause. Then—"Permission granted. And… may God be with you. Over."

The ship's navigation officer turned to Kai. "Captain, we're about to exit the solar system. We advise you to hold tightly to your seat for possible impact."

Kai swallowed hard. His heart pounded.

Why did this feel so much more nerve-wracking than when he first left Earth?

The countdown began.

"Ten… Nine… Eight… Seven… Six… Five… Four… Three… Two…"

A final breath. "Brace yourselves, everyone—One!"

Then—silence.

Inside the watchtower, the entire control room froze.

They waited. Holding their breath.

Then, a voice crackled through the receiver—stuttering.

"W-We—H-Hav—"

Every heart in the room dropped.

For a single moment, the fear of another failure threatened to consume them.

But then—

"I repeat—We have successfully escaped the solar system. Over."

Silence.

Then—an explosion of cheers.

The control room erupted—scientists sobbing, officers embracing, engineers pounding the desks in celebration. Tears, laughter, relief.

They had done it.

Unlike the past failures, this time, Odyssey had survived.

The radio crackled again. "Odyssey, we received your confirmation. Congratulations. You may begin the operation. Over."

Inside the ship, the crew was overwhelmed with emotion. Some were laughing, some wiping away tears of joy.

One of them looked at Kai, voice trembling. "Captain, we're outside the solar system… We… We beat the odds."

Kai watched them all—his crew, his people—celebrating their first triumph.

A small smile formed on his lips.

"Well… we have an exploration to do."

His gaze turned toward the vast, endless abyss of uncharted space.

"Shall we?"