The sky was crying that day.

Ben Tennyson looked down at the burning star, his hands shaking ever so slightly. His eyes were a strained red around green, the only evidence of his trauma. His mother and father used to say that he had no circles under his eyes, no matter how little sleep he actually got. That was a blessing, these last few days. No one could tell he hadn't slept in over a week.

"It's time," a voice said from behind him.

Ben turned to Tetrax Shard. The silicon-based lifeform in front of him kept his face neutral as Ben nodded slowly, his eyes downcast. They walked to the podium at the front of the assembly hall. Though the hall itself was able to house dozens, if not hundreds, of people, there were less than ten that actually showed.

Tetrax held up his hand, gaining the attention of all that were in attendance. "As you all know, there has been a passing in our ranks. This past week, we have lost a good man: Rook. He sacrificed himself and released the virus into the sun, saving us all. Now, we send him to the very star of his final victory."

Ben pushed a button on the gauntlet he wore. There was a hiss of escaping gasses as the docking bay below them opened, sending the coffin into the sun. Even from where he stood, Ben could see it as it hurdled through the vacuum.

"Lux Obscuris!" Tetrax shouted, punching his fist into the air.

The assembled punched their hands up too, shouting, "Lux Obscuris!"

"Alright, we break for Earth in the next hour. Return to your stations and prepare to Jump," Tetrax ordered.

Ben sighed. "Do we really have to do this?"

Tetrax narrowed his eyes ever so slightly. "It's been a week since Rook passed. We all need a break. Everyone with a home is returning there for a while. You most of all."

"Fine," Ben grumbled. "I'll go back home."

Tetrax nodded, though Ben was already walking towards the bridge as he did. The petrosapien sighed. That human could always give him a headache. Ben had served as the captain of their little group for many years now. He had seen many come and go, but this last death shook them all to the foundation. After all, Rook had made the Hunters along with Ben and himself.

There was something missing after that mission, a haunted look that made Tetrax worried. He had seen the effects a Captain not in control could have. It was never pleasant.

He put a finger to the activation button on his com-unit. "Dorian, I need you to set up a communication line with Earth. Max Tennyson, to be specific. Send the following message: He's coming home."


Max looked down at the communications he had received and let out a sigh. This was going to be a complex winter, he could already feel it. It had been six years since Gwen and Kevin had left for college and Ben had left for his own journey in space. Six years of traveling, comforting his children and assuring them that the kids were going to be alright.

Everything had to fall apart at once, of course. Gwen and Kevin had split up, Kevin having returned to the criminal underground. Even with very little in the way of context, Max could feel that there was something wrong for Ben to return so suddenly. Tetrax didn't send messages like this very often, if at all. He had told Max of Rook's death, and Max had a sneaking suspicion that the sudden return had something to do with that.

There was nothing he could do about it now but be there for his family. He leaned into his seat in the Rustbucket and turned the key, the old girl coming on in one go. Smiling absentmindedly, he pulled out of the rest stop and made his way down the highway towards Bellwood.


"No, you don't have a choice."

Ben growled a curse and pointed at Tetrax. "I'm not going back to Earth. Change course to the Hub, we need to get another mission."

Tetrax shook his head. "As the Lieutenant of this ship, I'm taking command. You are not capable of leading us as we need. You need to take some time off and recuperate. This is not up for debate or discussion."

There was something about the Petrosapien tone that made Ben even more furious than he already was. "You don't have that authority to take this ship from me. You are a Lieutenant. I am the Captain. I outrank you."

"The Charter says otherwise," Tetrax said, taking a step into Ben's quarters. "You are emotionally compromised and incapable of making rational decisions. The crew has come to the consensus. You are being stripped of rank and duties until you can demonstrate otherwise. We are all suffering, that is why the crew is being disbursed for now."

"Fuck the Charter!" Ben roared. He slammed a fist into the wall, the metal giving way beneath the blow. Tetrax had known Ben's mutated DNA was having some side effects, but he did not expect something like that. "Rook wouldn't want us to grieve for him! He'd want us to continue our mission."

"You are not to speak his name as an excuse," Tetrax said slowly. His voice was barely audible, but Ben knew that he had crossed the line.

He hung his head in shame. "Sorry, Tetrax. Maybe you're right. We all need a break."

Tetrax stepped forwards and placed a hand onto Ben's shoulder. "You have grown much since you became the Captain. You have made us stronger than we had hopes for, and you have made us into an organization that helps those who are in need. You have much to be proud of. Now, you must step back and take care of your own."

Ben was struck by his friend's words. Tetrax was not known for being sentimental. "Thanks, old friend."

There was a chirp from the com-unit on Ben's belt. He unclipped it and pressed the activation button. "Yeah?"

"Sir, the teleporter is ready. Shall I send you?" The Galvan's voice was unmistakable over the com-unit.

"Yes, please." Ben turned off the com-unit and reclippped it to his belt. A blue haze began to surround him, and he gave Tetrax a small wave before a flash of light enveloped him. In what seemed an instant, he was standing outside of his parents' house, his bag beside him and a green leather coat on his shoulders. Galvans could do anything, he thought. He hadn't even packed a bag, yet here was one.

He picked it up and began to walk towards the house, his boots crunching the newly-fallen snow. Once at the door, he reached out to knock, but before he could, the door opened and he was staring face to face with his father. His father's face was a mask of surprise, but he quickly embraced his son, tears rolling down his cheeks. His mother soon came, her eyes wide with shock.

"Hey, guys," Ben said. He was home.