It was an exhilarating feeling, flying out alone in the open. For the first time since the Calamity, Nori felt like her old self again. Out of reach. Free to follow her heart's desires.

She sighed and turned the shuttle toward the shelter. As far as she knew, she and her new friends were Earth’s best hope. Her lips twitched as she recalled the younger woman’s declaration of their team name. She had to admit it. It was apt.

Earth Force.

***

“Oh, my god, Nathan, this is incredible,” Lana cried as she stared, wild-eyed at holographic projections of different alien species.

She pointed at a tall, humanoid creature with a host of short fleshy bristles that covered his entire body. “This race is the Inthidlon, same as this ship’s captain. Says here their bodies are highly adaptable to harsh environmental conditions, which makes them ideal explorers. And this is an Exhar, like Alzigo,” she pointed at a tall alien. The specimen depicted in the hologram was without the grafted technology of the space station's owner, but that didn’t make him look any less formidable. “Says here they come from a jungle planet, so they’re built for climbing. Apparently, they are mild tempered and are known as a race of merchants. And this scary one …” she moved next to the third hologram, depicting a short humanoid, with a prolonged head and a lipless mouth with protruding teeth. “This one is called a Sedumorph. They’re a race of shapechangers, sort of—they can only change their outer appearance. They use their ability to assume a sexually appealing shape of other alien races.” Lana gulped as she read off her personal screen. “They seduce their victims so they can suck the Tec right out of their bodies.” She looked up at Nathan, her eyes wide. “So alien vampires are a thing, apparently.”

The young man shrugged, narrowed his eyes, and continued concentrating on his console. The light in front of him changed colors, and the images on his monitors displayed alien symbols. The symbols seemed to be unfolding, displaying more intricate details. Lana was so absorbed in her new discoveries she didn’t notice everything in front of Nathan was happening seemingly on its own.

It didn’t matter.

They were having fun.

***

The heavy metal gate opened in front of Nori, revealing a score of guards. They were all holding guns, pointed straight at her.

The woman stared coldly at the forest of barrels. “I’m here to see Martin.”

“Mage,” one of the men shouted, lowering his weapon. “It’s that runner woman, Nori. Says she’s here to see Martin. Get him in here.”

“Right,” a voice called back behind a second wall.