Acto IV: Caleb Klein

  "Cadet number 1152.""Yes, Sir. I am.""Caleb Klein. Give me your documents."

  While the officer checked his documents, Caleb applied to volunteer to protect marginalized stations. These house families exiled from the war and who do not belong to space colonies or a particur pnet. However, the Alliance, which is made up of organizations from different colonies and pnets in the Milky Way, is responsible for protecting these families until their situation is resolved. These families are attacked by armed groups that consider them traitors. Cadets from different locations in the gaxy can choose to volunteer at these stations. This is the only position where cadets can choose the location.

  "Are you sure?" said the officer, reviewing his file.

  The officer was surprised because Caleb had an excellent score in the academy. If he opted to volunteer, it was possible he would not be able to rise in rank.

  "Sure, Sir!" said Caleb with determination.

  The officer gave him his boarding pass.

  Caleb walked through a long passage until he reached the vessel that would take them to the pce. There were 50 people in total. Very few people volunteered to protect these marginalized stations. Being a volunteer was not an overnight decision but rather something he had already decided on two years ago.

  He entered and sat down to wait for the vessel to take off. He closed his eyes to rest until he heard a familiar voice.

  "Caleb! Hey, it's a surprise to see you here."

  Caleb couldn't believe his eyes. It was Dara Saa, Orion's ex-girlfriend.

  "Dara! You're a volunteer? I can't believe it.""I chose it one year ago," she said in a sad tone."Then, does Orion know about that?" asked Caleb, but after a few seconds, he regretted it when he saw her face."Sorry, Dara. I'm an idiot, I shouldn't ask you about that.""Caleb, I'm okay. Orion did know about my choice. One day, I proposed to him that we could volunteer and that he take the time to think about it. He thought about it and broke up with me."

  Dara's eyes had gzed over, and her voice began to tremble. Caleb felt bad, knowing he had reopened her wound.

  "Dara, sorry. I'm really sorry for opening your wound."

  "You know, I was hoping he had changed his mind and I'd see him here." Dara said with tears in her eyes.

  Caleb's heart broke when he heard that. Dara tried to smile. She realized Caleb felt guilty.

  {Ready to take off, fasten your seatbelts}, the computer said over the speakers.

  The vessel took off. Most of the volunteer cadets raised their voices with excitement, while Caleb thought about how sad his friend was. He saw her, gave her a signal of support, and she understood by returning the same signal.

  The trip was quiet. Some cadets were pying hologram chess; others just talked to get to know each other. Caleb realized that Dara was sleeping and began to read a book.

  Suddenly, a very strong tremor shook the vessel. The turbulence started without stopping. Everyone began to panic. Dara woke up and looked at Caleb with concern.

  Another strong tremor. The lights began fshing. For a few moments, they went off completely. Then came the strongest tremor yet. Everyone screamed and wondered what was happening. Caleb pressed the emergency button without any response.

  The inevitable happened. The emergency signal lights began to fsh, and the computer's voice repeated: {Evacuation! Evacuation!}

  Caleb couldn't believe it. His hands were shaking as he sat down and squeezed his chest with his right hand. His thoughts became negative. He began to talk to God. Was it fair for Him to let him die here, when all he wanted was to help others? What was his purpose then? Was it to die here? Would this be how his life ended?

  He started to cry, but his hand was touched by Dara, who told him, "I'll be with you if this is our st day."

  Caleb looked at her, and he realized his arrogance.

  "Dara, you know, I was arrogant, believing that I could choose the purpose I wanted. But if my purpose is only here, I surrender to God."

  Caleb stood up from his chair and walked to the door. He saw the other cadets trying to open the emergency door but failing.

  "Get away!"

  Caleb knew about technology. He logged into the system and changed the controls from automatic to manual. He opened the door and shouted loudly:

  "Run to the emergency capsules! Each capsule can only accommodate three people. Fasten your seatbelt, put on the oxygen mask, and eject the capsule by pushing the red button. Once in orbit, activate the distress signal."

  All cadets ran. Caleb ensured everyone evacuated. They proceeded to the central hallway to locate the emergency exit doors. Running was challenging as the tremors intensified, causing some individuals to trip and fall. Despite the difficulty, they managed to get back on their feet with considerable effort. Caleb encouraged the most agile individuals to assist those in need.

  A loud explosion echoed in the distance, and the lights ceased to function. Emergency lights flickered on as they entered the room, which was in good condition. Another explosion, this time closer, elicited screams of terror. Caleb realized they were running out of time.

  He shouted, "Get up immediately!"

  Some nervous individuals struggled to open the capsules, prompting Caleb to assist them. Dara was waiting for Caleb to board with her when another explosion occurred. This one was worse, damaging the capsule systems. Most of the capsules were out, but some were still missing.

  Caleb realized Dara was waiting for him. He searched for a capsule for her but couldn't find one until two cadets inside one told him there was space.

  "Dara, come aboard," said Caleb, holding her hand."No! I want to go with you!"

  Caleb ignored her pleas and closed the capsule. He could only see her crying and shouting his name.

  Suddenly, another explosion destroyed other capsules that were still inside. Caleb was shocked because he couldn't do anything for them. He searched in vain for another capsule, only to see that they were all engulfed in fmes. Resigned to his imminent death, Caleb smiled and boarded a capsule in poor condition, which seemed to be his st hope.

  If these capsules remained floating with the emergency signal, it was possible to be rescued. But if the emergency signal didn't work, the capsule would drift endlessly in space, awaiting an inevitable end.

  Caleb watched his tears float in the capsule, but he felt at peace with himself and satisfied with what he had managed to do. As he stared into the void of space, he closed his eyes.

  Caleb was unconscious for an entire day until a sudden shock jolted him awake. He found himself descending into the atmosphere of a pnet. While capsules were designed to withstand the rigors of atmospheric entry, Caleb's capsule cked proper cushioning, leaving him vulnerable to the impact.

  The capsule managed to endure the atmospheric entry, but as it began to descend rapidly, Caleb searched for a way to mitigate the crash. He discovered a lever that activated what appeared to be metal wings. Though Caleb struggled to control the capsule, he managed to steer it toward an area with dying trees, which helped cushion the fall.

  Caleb's heart pounded as he realized he was still alive. Exiting the capsule, he surveyed his surroundings. He found himself in a desote ndscape, with no signs of life other than his own. In the distance, he could make out faint silhouettes of mountains.

  He spent the entire day walking but found nothing. Desperate for water and food, he watched the sunset in silence and eventually fell to his knees to pray. Suddenly, a familiar voice shouted from afar.

  "Caleb! Caleb! Caleb!"

  His eyes widened in disbelief. Dara was alive and had nded on the same pnet! She ran to him and hugged him tightly, tears streaming down her face uncontrolbly.

  Caleb, overwhelmed with relief, whispered, "You're alive..."

  Dara smiled through her tears. "I thought I'd never see you again."

  The other two cadets from her capsule approached and helped Caleb to his feet. They guided him to a nearby vilge they had discovered.

  The vilge was inhabited by families who seemed to have adapted to the crisis. They didn't speak any known nguage, but their hospitality was evident. They offered food and water to Caleb, who accepted it gratefully.

  As night fell, Caleb sat outside, looking up at the unfamiliar consteltions. The future was uncertain. They were on an unknown pnet, unable to communicate with the natives and with no means of contacting anyone for rescue. Yet, for the first time in a long while, he felt hope.

  Surviving had brought a newfound perspective to Caleb. Despite the challenges ahead, he felt a deep sense of purpose—not one he had chosen, but one he was ready to embrace. Yet they clung to the hope that they would have a chance to return home one day.

  to be continued ...