Chapter One: The Dream

Miori woke up with a start, sweat beaded down her forehead. She looked at her surroundings frighteningly then recalling where she was she slumped down

onto her bed staring at the ceiling. She had just waked up from that strange dream she had recently, " That voice, it's calling me again," she shivered at the thought.

" Ever since I volunteered to be one of the crew in Earths Expedition Fleet I begin to have these strange dreams, " she said to herself.

" Is Hiroki calling me? Am I going mad? " she said clutching her forehead, her eyes moving to and fro.

" Maybe I should leave, " then she shook her head , " No, I cannot abandon my team. They need me, ".

Such was the thought of the stalwart Miori Shimatzu now head of Earths Expedition fleet since the untimely death of her husband.

Her husband Hiroki Shimatzu died during the expedition in a freak accident while he and his team were experimenting with an energy resource

made out of antimatter found deep within the center of a huge asteroid. They have dug in deep into the core and set up a temporary research facility within the site.

This resource was able to provide enough power for a capital ship when a right amount of static electricity was discharged into it.

During an experiment the equipment used to monitor this energy source was not tuned in properly.

The voltage of the static discharge was set too high which result of an explosion that collapsed the entire mine.

~~ Flash Back~~

~~ In council hall of the Natural Resource Agency headquarters; Frankfurt, Germany. ~~

" Mr. and Ms. Shimatzu thank you for answering our summons immediately. The reason that the council has called you fourth is that the council has

decided that both of you are the best candidates to partake in a mission that we are about to launch, " said Dr. Alfred von Beck president of the Natural Resource Agency.

Alfred was seated in the center of the large rectangular table in the council hall along with four other council members beside him.

" Before we give you the details I need your agreements," he said looking at the young couple that stood before him. Hiroki and Miori turned their heads and their eyes met.

Smiling they turned their gaze towards Alfred before they said, " We agree,". Alfred gave a nod of approval ," Good, as you all know that earth's natural deposit resources

are running dry. In order to power our massive colony ship we need to find other alternative resources that will last for years. The reason is that the new colonist is

going to settle in systems that are located many years away from Earth. Your mission is to search for another natural resource that is able to meet the needs above, " he briefed them.

" Both of you are promoted to title of head scientist in this expedition and will in command of 2 research ships equipped with the latest technology and

facilitates to assist you in this mission. Scout probes with sensors capabilities and sample storage devices will be included once you embark in your mission, "

he continued. Hiroki and Miori smiled with joy in their recent promotion, " Thank you, sir. It is an honor to receive such title, " said Hiroki and both of them bowed before Alfred.

He nodded his head, " Is there anything you would like to ask? " he said eyeing them both." Sir, why not use Earths artificial resources that are available? " asked Hiroki,

"An example will be our fusion power, " said Hiroki. Alfred regarded Hiroki's statement for a moment before he replied,

" Artificial resources needs raw materials to be produced and since the U.N. is limiting the use of these raw materials we are unable to do so.

Not only that the processing plants will give out more pollution to Earth's atmosphere that is currently at critical levels according to the Environment Agency, " said Alfred.

" The U.N. only allows the use of Artificial Resources when there are no other alternatives found, " he explained and the other council members nodded their heads in agreement.

" I urge both of you to make haste for you are only given 2 years in this mission. Earth is very polluted now and we need to leave soon, " he said gravely.

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~~ Deep inside the mines of the asteroid that day. ~~

" Miori dear, " called Hiroki. " Yes Hiroki, " she answered not taking her eyes off the stack of reports she was reading.

" Could you run upstairs and get some of my equipment that I left in the transport ship? I am currently busy and my assistant needs me in the lab now, " he looked pleadingly at her.

" Sure no problem, " she answered smiling. " Thank you. You're wonderful, " he said  lifting the visor from space suit blowing her a kiss.  

Miori blushed accepting the kiss as a compliment, " Don't be long now, " Hiroki waved goodbye before she turned to go. Making her way through the maze of tunnels

Miori walked to the elevator shaft that will bring her to the surface of the asteroid. Activating it she stepped inside once it came down and patiently waited

as the elevator made its way up. The elevator shook when it came to a stop and its grilled doors opened as it reached the surface.

Miori made her way towards the transport ship landed nearby. Her strides made big leaps in the air as the gravity pull of the asteroid is 1/10 of earth.

The bay doors hissed opened, its top moving towards the ground like a drawbridge when she activated the remote to get inside.

Getting a little impatient she jumped in before the door was fully opened . " Where is it? " she said lifting her visor of her space suite as she landed for a clearer view.

Looking around found it strapped under the seat, " Here it is, " she said to herself and took out the box. She checked the label to confirm if this is what Hiroki is looking for.

Suddenly there was an explosion that rocked the entire ship, Miori was thrown off into the air and bumped her head on the roof.

Fearful that something was amiss she quickly jump her way out of the transport ship.

To her horror she saw that the elevator shaft had collapsed and debris scattered everywhere from the opening. " HIROKI! " she screamed in horror.

Bounding quickly towards the shaft she found that the debris had covered the opening. She franticly tried to dig her way through by shifting and tossing debris out of her way.

She managed to peel a small opening that is enough for a look, to her horror she could see the shaft was caved in and covered with tons of rock.

" NOOOO! " she cried in dismay. She sank onto her knees and wept.

~~ End Flashback ~~

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That incident occurred one month ago, now Miori sat up wide awake on her bed. She moved her gaze towards the mirror at her dressing table searching for answers

that lead to the dream. Instead the mirror showed the reflection of a confused woman with long flowing black hair and light brown eyes that stared back.

Frustrated she removed her gaze and shift it towards the chronometer on her dressing table.

It read 0230 hours, feeling bored she decided to take a walk. The door gave a hiss and closed after she stepped out, her sleep had been obliterated from the dream she had.

A walk would help her calm down, Miori always take walks when something is troubling her. Tap…tap…tap the sound of her footsteps echoed through the empty corridors of the ship.

She had no idea on where she is going and it didn't matter anyway as long as the walk could make her forget the strange dream.

She was walking with her head bowed to the floor when suddenly a glimpse of light at the corner of her eye caught her attention.

Looking up she saw the light coming from a brightly lit hallway," Ah, the cafeteria. I wonder if Bryan is there? He is usually up in this hour for his snacks, "she said to herself.

She walked in scanning the area, the cafeteria is usually brightly lit even though there are a few people up late at this hour.

She noticed someone sitting at a table near the drink machine waving at her at the far corner of the cafeteria.

From this distance she could only see a speck of the person waving at her.

His features too far away to be recognized but she knew who it was and made her way towards the table.

" Hello Miori what brings you up late this hour? " Bryan grinned as Miori sat across the table.

Bryan was praised for his sharp eyes among the crew and they nicknamed him ' Hawk Eyes '.

Miori smiled at the broad shouldered man, " Hello Bryan, hungry again I see ? " she said teasingly. "Uh-um well yes," he flushed.

" Can't sleep you know with all that stomach growling. If I don't fill it up soon the noise will wake everyone up," and Miori laughed after hearing that.

It was one of Bryan's jokes for it is known that he could consume large quantities of food without growing any wider.

Standing 6 feet tall and well built, he has a voracious appetite. She remembered long ago that both he and her husband would go on to an eating contest between

them to see who will eat the other out but so far there is no clear winner. Bryan suddenly realize that far away look in Miori's eyes, he put a reassuring hand on Miori's.

" Tell me what is bothering you?" he asked. Feeling Bryan's hand on hers made Miori snap back to reality, "It's nothing really. I've been having bad dreams," she said.

"Oh?" he asked " Do tell me about this dreams then, are they the ones that you always had?" he asked for Bryan knew that she hadn't been herself lately after the accident.

She told him before that she was seeing Hiroki in her dreams. "No," she answered, " This is a different one.

In these dreams I hear a voice calling me. It was asking me to come.., " she said.

"It?" Bryan interrupted " Then the voice is not a person?" he asked. "No. I do not think so … I can't remember all I know is that I hear this voice…" she said trying to recall.

"I can only see that I'm in a bright blue surrounding and someone or something talking to me. I know this sounds silly and all but I can fell it drawing towards me," she said.

Bryan could see the flame in her eyes, " I understand, it is normal to have these dreams being the head of this expedition fleet and the sudden dismiss-" he choked,

"of Hiroki Shimatzu has put a great strain on us…but I just want you to know that I'll be here if you need me," he patted her shoulder.

"Yeah right!" Miori said eyeing him. "No I'm serious," he said." As a friend I will help him for it is my duty to take care of you.

I felt that I owe Hiroki something because he has helped me a lot during high school especially during chemistry. And he had recently convinced the organizers of this

expedition that I was a capable pilot to escort you both throughout this expedition, " he said.

Miori regarded him for a moment, " Thank you Bryan. I am sure Hiroki will be grateful, " she said,

" Now get some sleep, " Bryan said to her. " Don't worry I will," she stood up and left the cafeteria. Walking back to her quarters she sank down onto her bed and sighted.

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"Come to me," said a voice. "W-who's there?" Miori asked frighteningly, "Hiroki? Is that you?" she saw blue light pulsing her surroundings.

"I am not him, this Hiroki," the voice answered, " is he a friend of yours?" it asked ." No, he's not. He's my husband," said Miori.

" Husband ?What is a husband?" it asked. "A husband is someone you share your life," she replied. "Who are you?" asked Miori. "

I know not. It's been a long time since I spoke to others," the voice trailed off sadly. Miori feeling the sadness then decided to let her guard down.

"Are you alone?" she asked. "Yes I am alone, I don't know for how long. It seems nearly my whole life," the voice trailed off.

" That that's sad," said Miori her head bowed. "Why did you choose to talk to me?" Miori asked knowing it's a stupid question.

" I sense that you were the one calling me, " it said.

" Did I? I don't remember," she said looking up, confused. "Maybe the lost of this Hiroki has brought much pain to you that made you send out a call.

But instead of your husband I have received your call," the voice explained. "How did you know I've lost him?" asked Miori surprised.

" I know because I sense the energies that radiate out of you.

I read these energies of a life form and can predict in what a being is thinking or feeling right now," the voice explained.

"I see… this is all very strange," said Miori curiously and as a scientist she sees all things needed to have a scientific explanation.

This phenomenon is something new to her, making her confused. She pondered but cannot find a conclusion of how the voice is able read these energy forms.

Shrugging she immediately she let the subject drop, "What are you?" she asked.

"I'm not sure exactly myself the memory of my past is somewhat dimmed," said the voice.

" But know this I am real and only through your sleep you would be able to talk to me," the voice predicted Miori's next question.

Bewildered Miori then knew that the voice is telling the truth.

" What do you want me to do?" she asked. "I need you to come and bear me out of this place," the voice said adding an edge of fear.

"Why what is wrong?" Miori heard the sudden change of tone.

" Diminish the thought, you humans are beginning to interest me because all of you seem to radiate with energy from the emotions you express,"

said the voice changing the subject and switching back to it's normal tone, "and perhaps we can become friends since I have no one to talk to and I'm all alone.

" "Alone… alone" Miori thought that is the saddest thing that could happen to someone or something.

"How will I find you?" she asked." Worry not I'll lead you to me, " it said.

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