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  My pain my tears

  Many lives one heart

  In the light of the moon

  I feel we're apart

  Stars whisper secrets

  In the night they confide

  Wishing on a dream

  Where we never hide

  I hope to see you soon

  Together we'll start

  Holding hands in shadows

  Mending our hearts

  Phantom echoes call

  Across the midnight sky

  Waking dreams and fears

  Wondering why

  Midnight winds will howl

  Ghostly whispers sigh

  In the silver light

  I can hear your cry

  I hope to see you soon

  Together we'll start

  Holding hands in shadows

  Mending our hearts

  Caleb heard a beautiful song coming from outside. When he went out, he saw Dara Saa. She sang incredibly, expressing her pain at not being able to be with her beloved Orion. Dara sang under the light of the stars. The local inhabitants gathered to hear her sing. They didn't understand a single word, but they loved her beautiful voice.

  Rick and Paul, the guys who were in the same capsule with Dara, were amazed and saddened by the lyrics.

  Caleb noticed Dara's beautiful hair; she had long, wavy, golden hair. She was wearing a long skirt that blew in the wind, and her face was illuminated by the campfire.

  When everyone went to sleep, Dara sat down next to Caleb.

  – What are you thinking, Caleb? – she asked.

  – I think I was very arrogant and foolishly proud – Caleb replied. – I was willing to give everything to serve others; I wanted with all my heart to protect marginalized families. But it wasn't really my heart, it was just pride. I wanted to show God what I was worth, but not how valuable people were.

  Now I am here, depending on these families one hundred percent. They give me food, water, clothing, a home; my life belongs to them. I realized that I was willing to give but not to receive. Now I am learning here with them.

  – Caleb, you have a huge heart. – Dara said with tears in her eyes. – Now I understand why your friends valued you a lot.

  Caleb smiled and mentioned that his friends exaggerated.

  – Look at this, – Caleb said, showing a bracelet with a small device. –The day I said goodbye to my friends, I gave each of them a bracelet with a device like this. I told them that if they had any problem, I would go help them no matter where they were. I was stupid; I'm the one who ended up needing help. The device works so that I receive a signal from them, but not the other way around, or I can ask for help with my device. I don't have a good heart, Dara; I have a swollen heart, which is different.

  Dara took his hand showing support, while they saw the stars.

  ***

  Station Force Nova

  The captain informed Renn through Rina Lion that he would have three days off. Rina realized that Renn Xander had lost his two friends in the attack on vessel 345.

  – Renn, I just wanted to say that I'm sorry. I know you're going through a tough time, so I'll leave you alone.

  – Thanks, Rina.

  Rina nodded, her gaze soft, and turned to leave.

  – Rina!" Renn called hurriedly. – Do you know someone who has access to high command information?

  Rina was surprised by the question but saw the seriousness in his eyes. At that moment, she felt compelled to help him.

  – Of course, Kiya Nova is a kuirting. Kuirtings have access to all sorts of information. She doesn't work there, but she knows who does. Renn, I can help you connect with her. What kind of information do you need?"

  – I need to know where my friend Orion is. He's the son of Commander Jack Edri," Renn said with serious eyes.

  – Come on, I will help you!

  They left and went to find Kiya. She was sitting in front of a monitor reviewing codes. Rina expined Renn's situation and that he needed to find his friend Orion. Kiya showed no expression, her face remained impassive, betraying no interest or empathy for Renn's plight. Her chin was held high, her eyes shifting between Renn and Rina. The light from the monitor illuminated her dark skin, making her look like a cold and calcuting warrior princess.

  Kiya stood up and stared at Renn. – I will help you. Your pain is my pain.

  Renn was surprised. He realized that her culture cked outward expressions, but that didn't mean she cked feelings or the capacity to love others. She began writing Kuirt nguage symbols on her monitor. Renn didn't understand, but he was impressed by her agility with technologies. For a moment, she reminded him of his friend Akiva Frost.

  – I have it, Kiya said. – Station The Orbe, Cadet Orion Edri. His father is Jack Edri. You cannot enter that station without permissions from the generals in command. Security is very tight. However, tomorrow Mr. Jack Edri will be appointed general at Nulu 240 station. His son is invited. – Kiya stared at Renn– Renn, I recommend you look for him at that station. It's your only chance to see him. Security is extreme, but I can get you a Kuirt invitation.

  – Can you really do that? If you help me, I will be eternally grateful and owe you one, Renn said.

  Kiya stood up, her gaze piercing as she stared at Renn, her posture exuding confidence and authority. – I don't charge for favors, and I hope that in the future, no one will charge me for favors either.

  –I got it, Renn said, feeling embarrassed.

  – You are the best, Kiya, Rina said with pride, giving her a greeting that involved pcing the first three fingers of her hand on her heart as a sign of thanks.

  Kiya spent an hour communicating with colleagues she knew from the pnet Kuirt until she secured a pass that would allow Renn to attend the event. She transferred the invitation to Renn and expined that her pass would help him enter the station, but there would be areas he wouldn't be able to access. Once Renn was inside, it would be up to him to find his friend.

  Renn thanked Kiya and Rina and left with the conviction that he would do everything to see his friend.

  ****

  Station Nulu 240

  Nulu Station 240, an awe-inspiring structure, featured a central sphere encircled by multiple rings. Security measures were stringent, with a strict no-weapons policy—a necessity given the presence of high-ranking officials from various pnets and space stations. As Renn entered, he found himself in a vast room with a towering ceiling adorned with lights. Elevators lined the space, each leading to different rings. Small, winged robots flitted about, scanning everyone to ensure compliance with the no-weapons rule.

  Movement between rooms was reguted by invitation cards, which granted access to most areas. However, leaders such as captains, commanders, and generals possessed special cards granting them entry to all restricted zones. Renn was awestruck; he had never seen anything like it. Despite his amazement, his anxiety spiked at the sheer size of the station and the throngs of people. Orion could be anywhere within the rings, making him nearly impossible to locate. Renn's only hope was the main room where the ceremony would take pce. With Orion's father about to be promoted to general, Renn knew Orion had to be nearby.

  A female voice echoed through the intercoms, announcing the imminent start of the ceremony and inviting everyone to proceed to the main room. Renn hurried to an elevator, ascending approximately 300 meters before entering another room with moving corridors in the background. The space was divided by gss walls into several hallways, each bustling with cadets from various pces. As Renn navigated one of the hallways, he suddenly turned his head to the right and couldn't believe his eyes. Two hallways away stood Orion, cd in a blue uniform, white gloves, and a military cap with a gold cord. However, Orion's expression was distant, his usual smile gone. He was surrounded by other junior and high-ranking cadets, with a captain, likely one of their trainers, standing behind them.

  Renn shouted Orion's name, but the gss walls muffled his voice, making it hard for Orion to hear. Determined not to lose sight of him, Renn followed as the hallway led to another room where all the corridors converged. The crowd made it difficult for Renn to catch up, and just as he was about to reach Orion, an officer stopped him, informing him that he could go no further. Renn pleaded with the officer to let him pass, but the officer refused, directing him to use another elevator. Renn called out Orion's name once more, but it was in vain; Orion didn't hear him and soon disappeared into an elevator. Frustration surged through Renn as he realized how close he had been to his target. The officer, growing impatient, pushed Renn and warned him to leave or face trouble.

  Determined, Renn observed that other nearby elevators were accessible to non-military personnel with special passes. Each elevator allowed five people and required an access card. Realizing his own card wouldn't work, Renn waited for an opportunity. When a group of four prepared to board, he stayed close and quickly slipped in as one of them used their card to open the elevator. The four people gnced at him curiously but said nothing. Renn surmised they were responsible for the technological operations of the station, noting their reserved demeanor.

  The elevator connected to a hallway, and for a moment, Renn felt disoriented as he couldn't see the main room. One of his companions pointed to the left, indicating that the main room was in that direction. Renn thanked him profusely and dared to ask where the ranking officers and cadets entered. The person eyed him curiously before directing him to climb a set of stairs about 100 meters up, expining that Renn couldn't use the elevator without an authorized pass. There, he would find a reserved box for high-ranking officers.

  Expressing his heartfelt gratitude, Renn took his leave and headed toward the stairs, hopeful and determined to find Orion.

  While Renn was climbing the stairs, in the balcony box was Orio accompanied by Ezra O'neill, also not far from there was the highest ranking cadet Edd Starwind.

  – Your face looks horrible today, Ezra said to Orion with an annoyed tone. It seems as if the ceremony dedicated to your father was not worth it, he sharpened his words more.

  Orion didn't feel like listening to him so he ignored him. Ezra thought it was funny that he ignored him and he continued adding. – I have to apologize, it was insensitive, your suffering face is due to a girl called Dara Saa, your great forbidden love that you had on earth. "My heart breaks," – he said sarcastically.

  Orion gred at him, he had no idea how he had found out about all that, but he had gone too far. Orion made a fist, he was determined to hit him. However Ezra was a sneaky fox bastard, in which he told him to think carefully about what he was going to be. The son of the one who is going to be promoted to general will start a vulgar fight in front of other officers who are nearby.

  Orion was fuming with anger as he stormed away, searching for a pce to vent his frustration. He quickly turned to the right and suddenly collided forcefully with someone. His eyes widened in disbelief—it was Renn. Orion stared at him, eyes red and fists trembling with rage. Sensing the votile situation, Renn swiftly guided Orion away. Using Orion's access card, Renn opened the elevator, and they stood there together in tense silence.

  – Orion, I know what's happening, let it out, our friends died, don't hold back, Renn said with his voice breaking.

  Orion fell to his knees, tears streaming down his face harder than ever before. Renn knew there was nothing he could do to comfort him, so he stayed by his side, his own emotions overwhelming him until he, too, began to cry. They remained on the floor together, sharing memories of Dara and Caleb, recalling both the joyous and challenging moments they had lived through.

  They lost track of time as they sat together. Renn recounted how he had found him, mentioning the pass given to him by a girl from the pnet Kuirt, and the friends he had made at the Station Force Nova. He also shared her current frustration about having to deal with an egocentric idiot. Despite everything, what Renn yearned for most was to pilot with Orion again.

  – It's a promise Renn, We will be comrades again, Orion said with a small smile. Renn was surprised to see him smile and shook his hand to seal the promise.

  They had to part ways with a bittersweet farewell, but with the reassurance that their friendship remained strong.

  Orion returned to the balcony box, feeling calmer. Ezra noticed the change in his demeanor and looked at him curiously. By the time Orion arrived, his father had already been promoted to general. Orion caught only the end of his speech, where he spoke about the tragic deaths of the volunteer cadets on vessel 345. He emphasized that their deaths would not go unpunished and vowed to do everything possible to ensure the safety of each cadet who risked their lives. His speech culminated with a bold vision: the formation of a new era, an era of justice and equity. To achieve this noble goal, it was imperative to unite all the gactic powers. Without forging a solid alliance, other pnets or stations resisting this new era could destroy everything that had been fought for over such a long time.

  With a firm and resolute voice, he called upon the strength and determination of everyone present. "The only way to win this war and secure our future is through unity. We need each one of you, every corner of our vast gaxy, to contribute your strength and courage. Only together can we overcome the challenges that lie ahead and build the future we all desire."

  Finally, he raised his fist to the starry sky and decred the motto that would resonate in the hearts of all: "By the power of the stars!"

  The people appuded loudly, while Orion still listened to Dara's songs, which had once brought happiness to his days.

  To be continued