Forse Nova StationAct I: Renn

  Renn couldn't sleep, so he got up early, got dressed, and mentally reviewed his departure. It wasn't just a change of home; it represented the first step toward something bigger and the only opportunity he had to reunite with his friends, his chosen family. In front of the window, he let the first rays of sunlight illuminate the room and wondered if they would also light the path to them.

  Some young people are destined to be part of the elite army forces. To join, each candidate must first study at a special academy where they're trained in piloting spacecraft, combat strategies, using advanced technology, and various other essential subjects. Recruits are generally selected from military families, individuals with special talents, volunteers, and orphans supported by government aid. These individuals train until the age of 18 on Earth before enlisting in the armed forces, then are stationed at space colonies to continue their preparation for war.

  The selected young people face a mix of expectations and social pressure. Many come from families with military traditions and feel the weight of living up to their ancestors. Others, in contrast, are orphans or come from diverse backgrounds, hoping to find a new identity or prove their worth. Renn, as an orphan, felt that his friends were the only thing resembling a family, and every time he thought of them, his determination grew stronger: he would find a way to reunite with them, no matter the obstacles.

  ***

  Renn arrived at the Luna Space Station. In the grand hall, two thousand recruits stood in perfect lines, each waiting to be assigned their destination. Renn looked around, but he couldn't spot any of his friends—only the uncertainty and sadness etched on the faces of the other recruits.

  "Recruit number 2355!"

  "Yes, ma'am!" replied Renn, his voice ced with nervous anticipation.

  The officer checked his documents and handed him a red identification card. Soon, he boarded a vessel bound for a pce even farther from the home he knew.

  ***

  As he disembarked at Forse Nova Station, a mix of anticipation and anxiety filled Renn. The idea of spending years training here scared him, yet excited him at the same time. He observed the colony in the distance, and the glow of its lights against the dark backdrop of space reminded him of how far he was from home, even though, for him, home meant something very different. His goal was clear: this was his opportunity to build his own destiny and, in the process, to find those who meant everything to him

  Once assigned a small room, he surveyed his new living quarters. It was much smaller than the apartment he had on Earth, containing a compact bed, a closet, a desk, a small bathroom, and a window that framed the distant glow of the colony. Each day would follow a rigorous schedule, starting at 0500 hours with breakfast, followed by physical training, spaceflight strategy csses, combat and medical assessments, and ending with dinner and a brief period of free time before lights out at 2200 hours.

  ***

  The next morning, Renn arrived at the dining hall on time. The hall was vast, filled with metal tables where cadets lined up to collect their food. As he took a seat, the tables around him gradually filled with other recruits. He couldn't help but overhear a boy at the nearby table boasting loudly. This boy, with a proud smile, was recounting his accomplishments as a skilled pilot and his bravery in battle. His friends urged him on, captivated by his stories. Renn thought the boy was full of himself.

  The boisterous boy was Ben Yaakob—a tall, blond-haired cadet with green eyes and a self-assured grin. With him sat a petite girl named Rina Lion, with straight bck hair, freckles, and an encouraging smile. Another companion was a boy with curly red hair and gsses named Orit Harel, and beside them, an exotic-looking girl with long hair, dark skin, and a small golden mark on her forehead, Kiva Nova, who hailed from the warrior pnet Kuirt.

  While Renn couldn't help but overhear Ben's ramblings, two boys seated at the table in front of him introduced themselves.

  "Hey, I'm Dan Rosenberg, and this is my clone, Eitán," joked one of the boys, smirking at his twin.

  Eitán rolled his eyes and added, "Nice to meet you... Renn, right?"

  The Rosenberg twins, with their pale skin, amber eyes, and striking white hair, were from the pnet Gatts. They were known for their skill in crafting mobile suits, a fact that piqued Renn's curiosity. They were discussing this and the possibility of piloting a mobile suit when they caught the attention of someone nearby.

  "It's a pity not everyone can pilot a mobile suit," Ben interrupted, apparently having overheard their conversation.

  Renn raised an eyebrow. "Someone capable like you?" he replied, unable to resist the challenge.

  "Exactly! I was born to fly," Ben responded with a smirk, his green eyes sparkling with confidence. He leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms as if to emphasize his superiority. "Some people just dream about it," he added, his voice dripping with arrogance, as he gestured dismissively towards the other recruits. The challenge in his tone was unmistakable, and the room buzzed with anticipation, as if everyone could sense the impending showdown.

  Seeing the tension escating around them, Renn felt a surge of determination mixed with defiance. He couldn't let Ben's boast go unchallenged. "Why not put that cim to the test in a speed trial?" he suggested, the words tumbling out before he could think twice. The glimmer of competitiveness ignited in his chest, pushing him to take this risk. Ben's smirk widened into a grin as he quickly agreed, a thrill of excitement rippling through the gathered crowd. They could hardly contain their eagerness as whispers of the impending race spread like wildfire through the dining hall.

  As the crowd gathered, the commanding officer voiced his doubts but authorized the trial.

  "Cadet Ben Yaakob and Cadet Renn Xander"."Yes, sir". "Your request for a speed test has been granted. But are you both sure you want to proceed with this? It's quite advanced for your first day"."I'm sure, sir", replied Renn firmly."I'm even more certain", said Ben, his confidence unwavering.

  Both boys were determined to prove their worth, their pride fueling their resolve. However, the onlookers questioned whether these two could truly complete the test, with public pressure.

  When Renn and Ben prepared in their Jets CR3000s, they both felt the familiar hum of the ship, that energy vibrating in every cell of his body. Renn knew he wasn't just competing with Ben; he was competing with his own limits. With the throttle wide open, a rush of adrenaline and vertigo coursed through him, reminding him that in these moments, the true challenge was to maintain calm and control.

  Engines roaring, the two ships unched, accelerating to blinding speeds. The pressure mounted, each cadet battling to stay conscious. Renn gripped the controls, his mind fshing back to past training sessions with Orion, pushing him to endure.

  Despite the thinning air, determination burned in both their eyes. Neither would yield, neither would allow the pressure to overpower them. Their minds focused on the goal, on the finish line stretching out before them like an infinite horizon.

  A higher-ranking officer overheard the commotion and approached to investigate."What's going on here?""Sir, these two are competing in a speed test. I have to admit, they should be unconscious by now, but they've managed to hold on.""Give me an analysis of their performance so far."

  The highest-ranking officer examined the data and was visibly impressed."Retrieve their files.""Yes, sir."

  He began reading. "Recruit Renn Xander, Earthling. He ranked at the top of his css, is an orphan, and was recruited by the Universal Academy. He was one of the best pilots. Notably, he trained alongside Orion Edri, and together they broke speed records, showcasing their genius in strategic combat.

  And then there's Recruit Ben Yaakob. He resides in the Nexus Colony. His father is a senior general, and he has won awards in combat strategies for five consecutive years. What on Earth is a general's son doing here?"

  "That's all the information I found about them, sir.""Ok, I don't care about the result; I want to recruit those two as starting pilots.""Yes, sir."

  Meanwhile the two pilots were fighting for their pce. After successfully finishing the first part, both returned, but they still needed to get over second part, whoever resisted won.

  Speed increased, distorting the ndscape outside the craft into a blur of colors. Every muscle was tense, every fiber of their being focused on maintaining control. Competition roared between them, fueling the fire that burned in their hearts.In the midst of the chaos and the blistering speed, the two pilots clung to consciousness with gritted teeth. Renn felt faint. At that moment Renn remembered all the times he piloted with Orion and how they overcame his obstacles together. He did not give up, he adjusted the thrusters, began to slow down and prepared for nding. His vision sometimes blurred, but he looked closely at the signal lights and began the descent successfully. He opened the hatch, he got off the vessel very slowly; once on the ground, he removed his helmet, gasping for air. Before he knew it, everything went dark.

  ***

  Renn awoke to a soft voice and a gentle touch on his forehead. He opened his eyes to see a young woman with long, wavy blue hair and green eyes.

  "Are you awake? How are you feeling?" she asked kindly.

  "I'm... okay," Renn muttered, memories of the race flooding back. "What happened? Did I lose?"

  "You fainted after you nded. Ben had some trouble too, though he managed to stay on his feet."

  "So... he won," Renn said, feeling a pang of disappointment.

  She smiled. "Technically, yes. But he ended up here with a severe nosebleed. We had to give him an injection."

  Renn chuckled, comforted by her words. "Good to know it wasn't easy for him either."

  "I'm Dr. Eli Goldstein," she said, introducing herself. "I'm here to help pilots with their physical health. Now, let me check your heart rate, so please sit down."

  Renn sat down, and the doctor pced a stethoscope on his chest, her hand gently touching him. Suddenly, Renn's heart raced uncontrolbly. The doctor noticed the rapid heartbeat and looked concerned. However, Renn quickly removed her hand and reassured her that he was fine before getting up to leave. He smiled as he walked away, realizing it had been a long time since his heart had raced like that. Despite feeling a bitter sense of defeat, he couldn't help but think about the smile of the woman he had just met.

  To be continued...