Earth 2.0 – 1950 AM, Wednesday, June 13
Roadway – 16:10
Alex moved fast, not because he was being chased, but because he needed to leave.
He had seen enough. Heard enough. Felt enough.
The day’s events churned in his head like a sick, repetitive melody. Betrayal. Traps. A name from the past.
His fists clenched. Why now? Why her?
The answer didn’t matter. None of it did.
All he knew was that he was done.
His eyes stayed fixed ahead as he navigated the worn-out paths toward his shelter. He ignored the dimly lit alleys, the distant hum of factory machines, the occasional flickering neon sign that lined the underground city. None of it concerned him anymore.
He wasn’t afraid. No one would follow.
He had no value to them anymore.
But he had to leave.
This wasn’t panic. It was disgust.
A deep, suffocating disgust, not just toward today’s madness, but toward everything.
He had been through too much.
Felt too much.
Lost too much.
Sadness, anger, admiration, hatred, all of it.
It was exhausting.
And soon, that exhaustion would turn into boredom.
And boredom… would make this long, endless night stretch even further.
Shelter – 16:20
As soon as he stepped inside, he grabbed a duffel bag and started packing.
Scrapyard license. His only legitimate cover in this lawless abyss.
Self-protector. Should’ve worn it earlier, but too late for regrets.
An old, unused ID. A relic of a past life he had no intention of reclaiming.
Genetic mutation radar. One of his most advanced pieces of tech, indispensable for work.
A syringe.
His hands hesitated over that last one.
A genetic enhancer.
It had been sitting untouched for two years.
A silent reminder of the path he never took.
He exhaled sharply, then shoved it into the bag.
Alex knew staying here was no longer an option.
Ever since he got tangled up with the Chromium Box from TU, everything had spiraled.
The underground peace he had built for himself had shattered.
And now?
People were after him. A whole damn group.
And he didn’t care. He was just sick of it.
He wasn’t a hero.
He wasn’t a revolutionary.
If Starlight and Naura wanted to change the world, let them. If they wanted to fight for a better future, they could do it without him.
Because he wasn’t meant for that role.
He never was.
If anything, he was just a scavenger. A runaway. A coward.
And cowards? They leave.
His fingers hovered over an old bank card.
One swipe, and he’d have enough wealth live comfortably for the rest of his life.
But he didn’t touch it.
He never had.
And he never would, at least after his final escape.
Because running away was one thing....living in a past he rejected was another.
So this time, he would disappear for good.
To the bright side of the planet....where, in two years, it would fade into darkness.
And that suited him just fine.
Because he was done playing a part in this world.
This time, he’d make sure of it.
Hangar 6 LYOD Industrial Area Block GF – 19:20
The LYOD Industrial Area, Block GF, a hub of cutting-edge aerospace innovation.
Here, aircraft weren’t just manufactured; they were bought and sold at a scale unmatched anywhere else in the TRAPPIST-1 universe. Private owners, corporate giants, and entire planetary fleets secured their aerial dominance within these hangars.
Among them, Hangar 6 stood out, an exclusive production house dealing with only the best of the best.
And tonight, a lone young man stepped inside.
Neatly dressed. Unassuming. Nothing about him screamed “scavenger.”
But his presence carried weight.
Walking up to the reception desk, he locked eyes with the receptionist....a young woman with a polite, professional smile.
“Good evening, sir. How can we assist you?” she asked, her voice smooth and rehearsed.
“Evening,” he replied, tone neutral. “I’m here to purchase a Soundwave-jet.”
The receptionist blinked.
“…A Soundwave-jet?” she repeated, almost as if she had misheard.
The request was absurd.
“Are you representing a company, sir? If so, may I see your business card?” she asked, her professionalism faltering slightly.
“No.” His reply was short. “I’m purchasing it personally.”
A flicker of hesitation crossed her face.
“Uh… sir, are you sure?” she asked, glancing him over again. “The Soundwave-jet is the most expensive model in our fleet. Even major corporations can’t buy it without substantial investment backing.”
He exhaled lightly.
“Oh, I’m sure.” His voice remained steady. “I could afford three if I wanted.”
Silence.
Her fingers tensed slightly on the desk.
“…I’ll need to call my manager,” she said quickly, her voice tight with unease. “A personal transaction of this scale isn’t something I can authorize.”
She disappeared into the office, leaving the young manr waiting.
Not long after, a middle-aged man in a well-pressed suit stepped out, the manager.
“Good evening, sir,” the manager greeted him cautiously. “I understand you’re looking to make a personal purchase of a Soundwave-jet?”
“That’s correct,” the young man answered smoothly. “And I’d like the transaction completed as soon as possible.”
The manager studied him.
“Understood, sir. But before proceeding, I’ll need your ID, and a reason for the purchase.”
The young man nodded.
Reaching into his suit pocket, he retrieved an ID card and handed it over.
“As for my reason,” he continued, “I have urgent business in Rosianna. I need to be there tonight.”
The manager took the card....
And froze.
His expression shifted.
Shock flickered across his face.
His hands trembled slightly.
“…Alexsir Vasseur?” His voice came out barely above a whisper.
The disbelief was palpable.
“S-Sir Alexsir… is this really you?”
Alexsir met his gaze without hesitation.
“Of course,” he replied evenly. “Is there a problem?”
The manager swallowed hard.
“Sir, you....you vanished for two years. Everyone thought you were....”
“Dead?” Alexsir interrupted, a faint trace of amusement in his voice. “Hardly.”
The manager still looked rattled.
“But… sir, where have you been?”
Alexsir sighed.
“Haah. Nowhere special.” His voice was calm, but there was an underlying weight to his words. “After the Esoterra Incident, I needed a break. A long one. You can imagine how draining that research was.”
For a brief moment, something dark flickered in his eyes.
“But don’t worry, I’m back now,” he added smoothly. “I’m returning to help my father. That’s why I need to get to Rosianna immediately.”
The manager exhaled, his posture relaxing slightly.
“I… see.” He nodded. “Well, sir, it’s good to have you back. In that case, I’ll need your account card to finalize the transaction.”
Alexsir pulled out the card and handed it over without hesitation.
You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.
Within moments, the manager processed the purchase.
“Transaction complete, sir,” he announced. “Your Soundwave-jet is being moved to the runway as we speak. Once the flight clearance is confirmed, you’ll be free to take off.”
“Perfect.”
The manager hesitated for a moment before asking,
“Would you like us to assign a pilot, sir?”
“No need.” Alexsir’s answer was immediate. “I’ll fly it myself.”
“Understood, sir. In that case, may I see your flight license?”
Without a word, Alexsir reached into his suit pocket, retrieved a small, sleek card, and handed it over.
The manager examined it.
All was in order.
As everything wrapped up, Alexsir turned, ready to leave....
But then, he paused.
“…Oh, and one last thing,” he said, glancing back at the manager.
“If any reporters come asking questions, give them a message for me.”
The manager raised an eyebrow.
“What message, sir?”
Alexsir’s lips curved slightly....
But there was no warmth in his expression.
“Tell them....
‘Congratulations, Miss Starlight Stellar, for perfecting AGE. That should be enough for you not to have to depend on others.’”
The words hung in the air.
The manager blinked, trying to grasp the meaning behind them.
Before he could respond, Alexsir turned on his heel and walked away.
Vasseur Family Corporate Building – 19:28
The Vasseur Family Corporate Building towered above LYOD’s skyline, a beacon of wealth and power.
Inside, in the dim glow of his private office, Russle Vasseur sat slouched at his desk. One hand cradled his forehead, the other drummed against the polished wood in a slow, absentminded rhythm.
Two years.
Two years without a word.
The son he had searched for, the heir who vanished without a trace, gone, as if swallowed by the void.
And now?
Nothing.
Russle sighed. The weight of it all had settled deep in his bones, leaving behind only exhaustion.
Then....
BAM!
The door burst open.
A butler rushed inside, breathless, eyes wide with shock.
“MR. RUSSLE....!!”
Russle barely lifted his gaze.
“Wayne,” he muttered, not in the mood for whatever crisis was about to unfold. “I can hear you just fine without the dramatics.”
Wayne didn’t stop.
He slammed a tablet onto the desk, pointing at the glowing screen.
“A TRANSACTION. IN MR. ALEXSIR’S NAME. JUST NOW.”
Silence.
Russle froze.
For a moment, his mind refused to process the words. His fingers hovered over the tablet, hesitant, almost afraid to touch it.
Wayne swallowed hard, his voice still shaken.
“It's real, sir. No system error. Just now, Alexsir Vasseur purchased a Soundwave-jet… in Hangar 6.”
A sharp inhale.
Russle’s chair scraped against the floor as he shot to his feet.
“A Soundwave-jet?” His pulse thundered in his ears.
Wayne nodded rapidly. “He must be planning to leave LYOD. And knowing him, he won’t wait.”
Russle’s hands curled into fists.
“Alex…” His voice was barely above a whisper, thick with something between relief and frustration.
Two years of silence.
Two years of unanswered questions.
And now just like that his son was back, only to disappear again?
Not this time.
Russle turned on his heel. “We’re leaving. Now.”
“S-should I call security?” Wayne stammered.
“No time.” Russle was already moving, grabbing his coat in one swift motion. “We need to get there before he takes off.”
Without another word, the two men rushed out of the office, abandoning the usual presidential convoy.
This wasn’t about politics.
This wasn’t about business.
This was about bringing Alexsir home.
And time was running out.
Hangar 6, LYOD Industrial Area Block GF – 20:00
The Soundwave-jet’s engines roared to life, vibrating through the air like a distant storm.
Inside the cockpit, Alexsir adjusted his parachute vest, tightening the straps with precise, practiced movements. The takeoff procedure was complete. There was no more waiting.
He reached for the controls....
And then....
A commotion beyond the security checkpoint.
A black sedan skidded to a stop.
The driver's door burst open, and before security could react, a man rushed forward at full speed, his breath ragged, his footsteps pounding against the concrete.
Russle.
"ALEXSIR!!! WAIT!! PLEASE, ALEX!!"
His voice cut through the night, raw and desperate.
Alexsir’s fingers hovered over the throttle.
Russle kept running, his coat billowing behind him, his eyes wide with something deeper than panic.
"ALEX, PLEASE DON'T LEAVE AGAIN!" His voice cracked, but he kept shouting. "I KNOW....I KNOW I WAS A BAD FATHER, BUT PLEASE! GIVE ME A CHANCE TO FIX IT!"
Alexsir’s expression remained cold, unreadable.
Russle stumbled but didn’t stop.
"ALEEX!!! FORGIVE ME! FORGIVE ME, HERNIETTA!"
His voice was nearly drowned out by the roaring engines....
But Alexsir heard him.
Something flickered in his eyes.
Just for a second.
But then....
His fingers tightened around the control lever. His lips barely moved as he muttered,
"This afternoon, I will kill someone for the first and last time."
His grip steadied.
"Goodbye, Father."
The jet surged forward.
The engines screamed.
And then....
He was gone.
Russle collapsed onto his knees.
For two years, he thought his son was dead.
Now, he had come back....
Only to leave again.
This time, it was worse.
This time, Alexsir had left with nothing but hatred in his eyes.
Wayne stood behind him, silent. He had never seen Russle like this....never seen him truly break.
He stepped forward, placing a firm hand on Russle’s shoulder. "Mr. Russle… we should leave. The reporters will come soon."
Russle didn’t move. His shoulders trembled.
"Let me stay here a little longer, Wayne."
His voice was nearly gone.
Wayne hesitated, then bowed his head slightly.
"Okay, sir."
He stepped back.
Because even he felt like he had failed them both.
Russle stared at the dark sky.
His body felt heavy, his heart even heavier.
And yet, despite everything....
As bad as a father is, he is still a father.
Starlight’s Apartment - Thursday, June 14 - 09:00
The events of that night in the warehouse had left a scar on Starlight.
For the first time in her life, she felt completely abandoned.
She didn’t even know why.
After Alex left, she had cried until her body gave out. She fainted right there, and when she woke up, she was in a hospital bed. The doctors said she was just exhausted. No serious injuries.
Revana, Stepan, and Gabie had taken her back to her apartment.
Now, 17 hours had passed.
And as the sky remained dark with the last traces of dawn, Starlight’s eyes finally fluttered open.
She stared at the ceiling, disoriented.
"Haahm… where am I?" Her voice was weak.
She tried to sit up....
Sharp pain.
"Ouch…" A headache struck as if her body was punishing her for yesterday. But she couldn’t just lie in bed.
She needed air.
As she slowly made her way to the living room....
"Ahh! Star! You’re awake!"
Before she could react, Revana rushed to her, grabbing both of her hands.
"Do you need water? Wait, I’ll get you some!"
And just like that, Revana darted toward the kitchen.
Starlight blinked, still catching up with reality.
"Yo, Miss Star. How are you?"
She turned to see Stepan lounging on the couch, remote in hand.
"Stepan… ah, thank you. I’m feeling better." She tried to smile, but her voice still carried the weight of exhaustion.
"You should rest more, Starlight."
Gabie’s stiff, authoritative tone cut through the air. "Fainting from frustration is not something to take lightly."
"Oh, Sir Gabie, I’ve troubled you too. But… thank you."
"Just Gabie," he corrected. "Don’t be too formal. I’m not that old. And besides...." his voice held a sharper edge...."with the way those terrorists are moving, someone with authority should stay near you."
Revana returned with a glass of water. "That’s right, Star. We can’t leave you alone after that. Especially when we still know nothing about the people who attacked you. Here, drink this."
As Starlight took the glass, Stepan lazily raised a hand.
"Hey, Miss Star, mind if I turn on the TV? I’m kinda bored waiting here."
"Hey, troublemaker!" Revana shot him a glare. "This isn’t your house!"
Stepan grinned. "Relax, I was just asking."
"It’s okay, Reva. I don’t mind." Starlight interjected, hoping to ease the tension.
Stepan smirked. "See that? Our princess doesn’t mind. You shouldn’t either."
Revana grumbled but let it go.
The TV flickered on.
"LATEST NEWS...."
"Huh? Straight to breaking news?" Stepan raised an eyebrow. "That’s some timing."
The news anchor's voice filled the room.
"A YOUNG MAN, ALLEGED TO BE MR. ALEXSIR VASSEUR, HAS JUST APPEARED IN HANGAR 6 OF THE GF BLOCK INDUSTRIAL AREA."
"HE WAS SEEN PURCHASING A SOUNDWAVE-JET IN A LARGE PERSONAL TRANSACTION."
Starlight’s breath caught in her throat.
"WITH US HERE IS THE MANAGER OF HANGAR 6, WHO HANDLED THE TRANSACTION."
The screen cut to a slightly nervous-looking man.
"I swear, it was really Mr. Alexsir Vasseur. Here, this is a photo I took before he took off!"
Revana leaned forward, squinting. "Wait a minute… doesn’t he look a lot like the guy from the warehouse?"
"You think so?" Stepan scoffed. "That guy had no manners. This one looks way more refined."
The interview continued.
"WHAT MAKES YOU SO SURE THAT IT IS REALLY MR. ALEXSIR VASSEUR, MANAGER?"
The Manager hesitated before answering. "Because… just before he took off, Mr. Russle Vasseur came running after him. But...." the man’s expression turned solemn "....he was abandoned. Just like that."
A heavy silence filled the room.
And then....
"Oh yeah, before taking off, Mr. Alexsir left me a message for Miss Starlight Stellar."
Starlight froze.
Everyone turned to her.
"If I’m not mistaken," the Manager continued, "he said something like this....
‘Congratulations, Miss Starlight Stellar, for perfecting AGE. That should be enough to make you not have to depend on others.’
"Well, that was more or less what he said. I hope the message reaches her! Congratulations, Miss Starlight!"
Tch.
Stepan grimaced.
And turned off the TV.
The room was dead silent.
Starlight stared blankly at the screen. Her fingers trembled.
The glass slipped from her hand.
It shattered.
Revana gasped. "Star! Are you okay?!"
But Starlight didn’t respond.
Her mind was drowning in one thought.
I will find you. I will find you. I will find you. Then I will never let you go again.
Revana quickly knelt, picking up the shards. "Star, don’t move. You’ll get hurt."
Gabie followed, his movements calm but precise. "Let me help."
Meanwhile, Stepan leaned back with a sigh. "Miss Star, same guy or not, the fact is, both of them are cowards. Nothing more than losers who like to run away."
Revana snapped. "Hey! Can you stop putting people down for once?! Think about Star’s feelings!"
Stepan glared back. "And what about you, Revana?! Are you really okay with letting some guy who made our princess cry just walk back into her life?"
Revana opened her mouth....
But no words came out.
Because she wasn’t sure.
"I want to meet him."
Starlight’s voice wasn’t weak anymore.
Stepan furrowed his brows. "Huh? Are you serious?"
"Even so, I want to see him. I want to hear his answer."
Her eyes were sharper now.
Revana exhaled. "If that’s what you want, then I’m coming with you."
Stepan groaned. "Gabie, come on! Help me knock some sense into these two!"
Gabie adjusted his glasses. "Sorry, Stepan. Starlight deserves an answer. And I’ll be there to make sure she gets it."
Stepan threw his hands in the air. "Oh, for….fine! Fine! But I swear, when I see that guy, I’m gonna punch him in the face."
Starlight slowly smiled. "Thank you, everyone… Let’s go find him."
Stepan felt a shiver crawl down his spine.
That tone…
That determination.
It almost scared him.
Was she chasing after Alexsir…
Or was she chasing after something else?
Either way, he was coming.
To make sure they all made it back.
Off the South Coast of Rosianna – 10:24
"SJ0470, you are out of flight path. Repeat, SJ0470, this is the control tower. You are out of flight path. Over."
The radio transmission crackled in the cockpit, but no response came.
Inside the Soundwave-jet, the pilot sat calmly, deliberately ignoring it.
"What is this pilot thinking?! Why isn’t he responding?!"
Tension filled the control tower. A plane from the Unosies Union going dark wasn’t normal.
They kept repeating the message....
"SJ0470, you are out of flight path. Repeat, SJ0470...."
But Alex never answered.
He sat in the cockpit, methodically separating two bags.
One held only what mattered now.
The other? Everything that tied him to the name Alexsir Vasseur.
His identity card. His bank accounts. His passport. Every trace of his existence, all stuffed into a smaller bag and stashed behind the pilot’s seat.
Then, he secured the first bag to his chest and adjusted the parachute on his back.
The control tower called again.
But it was already too late.
Alex reached forward, his fingers hovering over the jet’s controls.
A deep breath.
Then he shut everything down.
The Soundwave-jet’s systems went dark.
And with that....
"Rest in peace, Alexsir Vasseur."
He pulled the emergency ejection lever.
The cockpit exploded open, launching him into the sky.
Wind roared past his ears as he tumbled, weightless for a few seconds.
Then, at the right moment, he deployed the parachute.
Floating high above, he watched as the Soundwave-jet spiraled downward, crashing into the waves below.
The impact shattered it apart.
Wreckage scattered across the ocean surface before sinking into the abyss.
Taking Alexsir Vasseur with it.
Now, there was no turning back.
When Alex finally hit the water, it swallowed him whole.
The ocean was deep. The current was merciless.
The nearest shore was 200 meters away.
And the waves weren’t letting him decide where to go.
All he could do was keep his head above water, keep moving, and pray the current pushed him toward land.
For two hours, he drifted.
His arms burned. His lungs ached.
But then....
His body finally hit sand.
The shore.
He lay there, completely drained, his fingers weakly gripping the damp earth.
Then, footsteps.
Three people.
They stopped a few feet away.
Alex slowly lifted his head.
A young girl with a tomboyish build stood in front of him.
She was holding a trident.
And she was pointing it directly at his face.
"Yo! Welcome to Rosianna, illegal immigrant. Mind telling me your name?"
Alex couldn’t help but smile.
She was cautious, but she wasn’t hostile.
He raised his hands slightly, a gesture of peace.
"I’m Helki."
The girl studied him for a second before lowering her weapon.
Then, she extended her hand.
"Well then, welcome to Rosianna, Helki. I’m Anastasha. Call me Ana."
Helki.
Not Alex.
The name felt strange on his tongue but light on his shoulders.
"Nice to meet you, Ana." He grasped her hand and pulled himself up.
At that moment, Sir Alex ceased to exist.
Following Alexsir Vasseur, who had sunk beneath the ocean waves.
But unlike the name that drowned....
Sir Alex did not sink.
He was carried away.
By the wind, by the tide, by fate itself.
And as his kaleidoscope of identities finally stopped spinning....
He let it rest.
Latom.
LYOD International Airport – Friday, June 15, 06:40
"Gosh, why is he taking so long?! Damn troublemaker!" Revana huffed, arms crossed in frustration.
“I stopped by to pick him up,” Gabie explained, adjusting the strap of his bag. “But he said he was still getting ready and told me to go ahead.”
“We should just leave him.” Revana tapped her foot impatiently. "He still refused to agree with you yesterday, Star! Why are we waiting?"
Starlight chuckled softly, trying to ease the tension. “Hehehe, Stepan’s been kind enough to come along. The least we can do is wait.”
“I agree.” Gabie nodded, though his voice remained as stiff as ever. "Besides, the more of us, the better. We don’t know what’s waiting for us there… and I can trust Stepan’s instincts."
Before Revana could retort....
"Heeey! Sorry I’m late, guys!"
Stepan’s voice rang out across the terminal. He was waving dramatically, a duffel bag slung over his shoulder.
“I couldn’t decide what clothes to bring!”
Revana whipped around, eyes twitching. “Haa?! THAT’S what took you so long?! What difference does it make? You wear the same damn thing every day!”
Stepan gasped in mock offense. "Of course it makes a difference! You should pay more attention to the details, not just what’s visible!"
Revana groaned. “Unbelievable…”
"Flight Passenger V978, Destination Azmr, Rosianna. Please complete check-in immediately. Flight will take off at 07:00."
The announcement echoed through the terminal.
“That’s us!” Stepan perked up.
“Let’s go, Star!” Revana grabbed her wrist, leading the way.
As they walked towards the check-in area, Starlight’s gaze darkened slightly.
Her lips parted, barely above a whisper....
"No matter who you are there… I will find you. And I will never let you go again."
With that, the genius above the clouds, Miss Perfect Answer, along with her companions, left the city of LYOD and the Unosies Union.
Leaving behind a world tangled in a web of conflicts, conspiracies, and unanswered questions.
For now, the stage was not yet theirs.
Before stepping into a storm greater than they could imagine....
They had to face themselves first.
End of Chapter III
