I had always wondered about space travel. I thought it would have been an endless joy ride, dashing through the deep endless pool of blackness, dotted by stars. Boy was I wrong. The speed was more intense than is even comprehensible. It's as if you were sitting in chair, suspended in midair, and being crushed by house. Not fun. But since its light travel, it won't take long at all.

Soon enough, as I look out the miniscule window of my bleached-white spacecraft, I see it. It is a tiny dot, growing in size by the minute, eventually large enough to see its marine surface with greenish specs on it. So this must be the much fantasized planet of Pekopon, I thought to myself. Well it's a lot different than Keron. The planet now appeared the size of a small moon. It grew rapidly, as my ship hurtled towards the mass of water and land. It's so beautiful, I thought. Such a shame we have to conquer it. Perhaps I can demand that we preserve its natural beauty…

I was too lost in thought to notice I had forgotten to put the ship's controls to land. Red lights flash unexpectedly; while an alarm sounds wrench me from my contrary to my pleasant daydream. A bright wall of fire surrounds the ship. I am forced to do nothing but sit and watch, as I accelerate faster and faster, and the land below me swells to unspeakable proportions. In a fit of blind panic, I shut my eyes as tight as I can manage, afraid to face the reality of the impending doom below. In a split second, I collide with such force my heart nearly stops. I can't help but wonder, Am I alive…or… is this death…?

Shockingly, my question is answered. Outside, a small voice greets me with one simple word.

"Hello…?" said the voice. I seem to have lost my own, for I can't answer its question. I grope around in the blackness for the safety harness to unbuckle it. I successfully unlatch it, and slowly rise out of my seat to find a way out. My hand reaches the top of the ship, of which there should be an emergency exit I would have to use, considering at the angle the ship crash-landed, the main door was busted. Eventually I feel the cold, smooth surface of the door handle. I grab it with both hands and pull. The top of the ship cracks open, letting a burst of blinding, white light into the murky space. I climb up the side, and push up the door. I am almost blinded by the immediate beam of sun on my face. As my eyes adjust to the glare, I realize my surroundings. My ship is enclosed by a dense, lush forest, with trees and foliage as far as the eye can see. As I survey the area, the voice speaks again. This time, I can pinpoint where it's coming from. I whip my head around.

"It can't be," I whisper. "Dororo..?" I say it loud enough for the blue frog to hear me. Suddenly his curious gaze turns to ambivalence. His eyes well up with tears. I slowly descend the side of my ship, watching the blue weeping frog carefully. As soon as I am upon the ground, I tiptoe over to him, as if I were to walk too loud, I would upset him even more. When I am close enough, I ask him softly,

"What's wrong?"

He answers me unsteadily; his voice muffled a bit by the silver piece of cloth that conceals his mouth.

"It's just that…you're a stranger… but you say my name as if we've known each other forever, and.. my friends always forget me.. it just makes me feel so happy that someone remembers me… even if I don't know them.. I just feel so invisible sometimes…"

"Well, I can be your friend, if you'd like."

He looks up at me, as if I had suddenly sprouted wings and a halo.

"You would do that..? We don't know each other well enough..."

"Well, I know enough about you to consider it, and besides, you will get to know me better anyways!" I say cheerfully.

"I will..?"

"Yeah! HQ sent me to join the platoon. We will see each other a lot from now on!"

The tears in his eyes are gone.

"Really?"

"Absolutely!" I say to him.