From Kumasi I…

"Promise me, dear…" A weak hand cupped her cheek, tears flowing down and over. "Promise me…"

The young girl tried to reply but was muffled by a strange force. The feeling of drowning in an endless abyss, unable to utter a single word. She grasped at her throat, trying with all the strength she could muster to tear free the binds that chained her vocal chords.

With the rest of the sickly woman's might, she smiled bright as the sun, the blurry image of her faded away in a blindingly bright light.

"Karyme!" A middle aged man stood over her bed. He was well dressed for a man of his position out in the boonies. A simple blue and green vest over a white dress shirt tidied up with a white medical apron that contrasted his olive skin tone well. He pulled on his beard, twirling it with two digits. "Wake up, TP. You're going to be late for your…"

As if on cue, the door was met with a swift Knock Knock Knock..

The young woman stirred in her bed before realizing the time and jumped out to meet the folks eagerly awaiting her at the door. She burst out the entrance and saw her two favorite people in the world, other than her old man awaiting her.

"Kary! I see you're…" He looked her up and down, noticing her nightwear and disheveled appearance. "You just woke up didn't you?" His demeanor shifted to that of How could you? "We've been planning this for months!"

The figure on the right was Tristen Atchley. He was the son of the outpost engineer and botanical experts. He found a different calling which was through Karyme's father.

"Hi Dr. Bishara! Don't worry, I'll make sure everyone returns in one piece." He chuckled, thinking of all hell his mentor would put him through if she didn't come back safe and sound." He gave a thumbs up and a smirk.

The woman on the left was Joy Dalton and she was anything but outspoken. She was blushing harshly and avoiding eye contact with all known parties. Kary was still in her nightwear and that afforded onlookers a view at her midriff.

"Joy? You feelin' alright? Your face is super red." She turned her head back facing the interior of the house; towards her father, "Hey papa, we might need your expertise on this one!" She shouted across the house. Her southern accent matched her fathers in more ways than one.

Joy's hands darted back and forth, "Nope! I'm good! Yup! Good!" Her nervous laugh betrayed her. She put her hands in her overall pockets and kicked the dirt lightly.

Tristen shrugged, "So, you gonna go like that, Kary?" He snickered.

She looked down at her choice of apparel and jumped. "Holy freakin' moly! Lemme brush and get dressed." She closed the door on her pals, rushing for the bathroom. After brushing her teeth, she went straight to her wardrobe, putting on a white hoodie with some black leggings perfect for a trip into the mountains. She then put her signature jacket on. It was a gift from her father; A varsity jacket representing the Freestar Collective Trailblazers; a Futbol team that was well known throughout the Settled Systems. After lacing up her red running shoes, she grabbed her bag and was out the door. "How's this outfit?" She grinned.

"Kary, you wear that same get-up every day." Tristen teased.

Kary stuck out her tongue. "Do not!"

"Same old same old is good!" Joy giggled, "Stop teasing her Tristen, we all know you're still sore about losing against her in futbol."

"Yeah, like I stood a chance! I mean, she runs for an hour each morning. How am I supposed to keep up with that?" His family hailed from New Zealand during the times of Old Earth and the accent stuck through the generations amongst the stars.

The three shared a laugh as they walked through their humble outpost. They passed the farm where the alien cattle were being rounded up by Tristen's mother Carolyn.

Karyme noticed as two of the local fauna became rowdy. A Twintail and a Toadface as they were deemed colloquially, were at each other's hides. She jogged over to the commotion. "Hey! What do you two think you're doin'? I'm only going for a couple of days!"

The two creatures settled and looked towards her, standing down. She hopped the fence and petted the twintail on its horn. "It's okay Bubbles, I promise I'll be back soon." The Toadface waddled up and nuzzled into her side. "Aw, I love you too, Lucy." She reciprocated and nuzzled her face against its scaly hide.

The creature breathed out its nostril into her face, blowing back her silver gray hair with black highlights at the tips. Hair dye wasn't a readily available resource in the outpost, so she only dyed the ends when trips to Akila City landed her some.

Carolyn jogged over to greet her. "Am I glad to see you, Kare. Those two have been at each other's throats since breakfast."

"Oh, they're big softies! Aren't you?" She looked over at the mammoth twin horned beast as it layed down for a nap.

"Aren't you kiddos supposed to be hiking or something? Sleep in too long?" She laughed, "You take care of my pig headed son in the mountains, you hear?"

"I can hear you mom!"

"Don't worry, Mrs. Atchley. We'll be fine. Scout's honor." Joy gave a thumbs up and a rather determined smile.

Karyme ran back to her friends and they finally began their trek into the hills surrounding Navarro Outpost. The surrounding area was dense with foliage thick enough a good machete was almost a necessity. If not for their hand scanners, they'd easily get lost in the environment.

"I still can't believe we're actually doing it! I feel like it's been too long since we've all just… gone exploring, ya know what I mean?" Kary sauntered behind the two with her hand behind her head. Though she grew up on the planet, she still loved her homeworld like it was her first time traversing it. She was an explorer at heart and the trip the three agreed on was just what she needed to distract her from menial outpost labor. Though she was the settlement's lead xenosociologist and xenobiologist, she still found herself dreaming of a promise she made.

After a few hours of travel, the three decided to take a break near a freshwater spring. Though they weren't rare, they certainly weren't commonplace either. The natural water of Kumasi I was heavy with metals and unsuitable to drink without purification. Freshly made pools of rainwater were, however, safe to stick your toes into for a short while. Kary relaxed at the water's edge as she studied her reflection in the water. She focused on her most distinguishing feature, the massive birthmark on her face which covered her eyes and upper nose. It's the very same reason her father refers to her as TP or Trash Panda.

Her thoughts were interrupted by Joy, who sat down next to her. "Thinking about something?" She looked over and smiled, "Wanna talk?"

"Yeah… I had a strange dream last night, and it's not the first time I've had it. It's…" She folded her arms and put her head in. "It's a memory. The last time I spoke with mom. About the promise I made to her before she passed."

"I see. What was the promise?"

"It's kinda hard for me to talk about…" Kary sighed, "Right before she slipped into a coma, I promised her that I'd…"

Before she could finish her thought, a hand planted itself on her head and tousled her hair.

"C'mon you two! We got a lot of distance to cover before nightfall. Enough lollygagging." Tristen smirked, unknowingly interrupting the two's conversation.

Karyme smiled and shook her head, snapping herself out of melancholy. She stood up and patted the dust off her legs. "Right!"

Joy sighed in defeat, losing out on a moment with Kary. "Yeah, let's."

It wasn't long before the sun began to set over the horizon, leaving the trio precious few minutes with daylight. They decided to set up camp in a small clearing. Kary set up the tents while Joy collected firewood. Tristen took the time to deploy the equipment and did inventory over their supplies.

"Everyone got their pistols and boot knives? We've got around fifty rounds of .27 in the bag."

The two checked their Sidestar pistols holstered at the hip, safeties on. Their combat knives were safely strapped to their calf of choice. Kary had hers on her left as she was left handed.

"If something does go down, remember what Carmen taught us and we'll be alright."

Kary snickered, "If we listened to everything she taught us, we'd all be professional mercs like she used to be."

"I think being an engineer suits me fine." Joy walked over with a bundle of dead wood. She placed it down in the center of camp and began working on setting it ablaze.

The three finished up their tasks and sat around the fire together, roasting marshmallows and telling stories.

Kary looked down and smiled, "I missed this… More than you two'll ever know. Having responsibilities is nice and all, but I remember when we were just a bunch of kids hanging out all the time. It's nice to finally go adventuring again."

"Here's to that!" Tristen held up his beer and took a swig. "We oughta do this more often."

Joy giggled, "Agreed. Working on the outpost is great, but nothing beats this." She looked towards Kary and smiled, then to the night sky. The moon shone brightly.

Eventually the three split off to their tents. Kary and Joy sharing one and Tristen having his own.

Kary fell fast asleep while Joy watched in amusement as she snored cutely. She felt the swelling of nervousness from staring overtake her. She blushed and turned over in her bedroll, bashfully pulling a pillow over her head.

As the night passed into the early hours of the morning, Karyme woke up with a full bladder. Not wanting to wake her friend sleeping soundly next to her, she quietly exited the tent and turned on her flashlight. Swiping her hand scanner along the way. She headed out into the forest where no one could find her doing her business. Whether from grogginess or the lack of light, she felt her right foot slip as gravel gave way. She let out a shrill yelp as she lost her footing. With hefty thuds and cracks from colliding with hard stone, she tumbled down into an opening of a well hidden cave.

After a few minutes of finding her balance, grabbed her flashlight and began darting it around, scanning the surroundings. She looked up where she fell, shining a light on the exact spot where she slipped. It was roughly a twenty meter drop and it was a miracle that she wasn't badly injured or worse.

"Gotta find a way out of here…" She thought aloud, "Maybe there's an exit at the end." Kary dusted herself off and shone the light forward, trembling but pushing forward.

Passing stalactite and stalagmites aplenty as well as deposits of minerals, she pushed deeper into the dark cave. If not for her flashlight, it would be pitch black. Eventually she started noticing strange features of the cave.

She pulled out her scanner when she noticed a strange deposit of mineral in the shape of collided cubes fused together. "Caelumite? Never heard of that before…" She looked deeper into the cave and noticed it was all around her. She eventually spotted a piece of metal jutting out from the farthest reaches, the light reflected off of its polish.

Kary approached the object and tried to scan it. The device began glitching out of control, showing "Material composition unknown."

"What in the…" She looked over with her light, noticing it was stuck in the caelumite deposit. She pulled out her survival knife and began chipping away at the dense material. It took a couple of minutes, but the cubes detached from it. Upon closer inspection, the strange object looked to have carvings on it. It was curved and layered, as if a piece of a puzzle. It was loose enough to pry from the rock and Karyme's curiosity was killing her.

She placed her left hand on the object and at the exact moment of contact, her consciousness was thrusted from her body. Lights… music… The entire universe. A symphony beyond her comprehension. Her mind was pulled through rings of endless wonder and terror. The young woman's eyes dilated and breath escaped her as both her and the mass of metal fell back. With a thud, Kary fell to the ground with the object in a tight lock. The blackness of the void overtook her…

Joy shot up at the sound in the distance. She looked over and noticed Kary wasn't there, sending terrible thoughts throughout her head. What if she was in trouble? Was that her screaming? She immediately unzipped her tent and saw Tristen doing the same.

"What was that?!" Tristen exclaimed with a worried look on his face. "Where's Kary? No way she could've slept through that."

"She's not here! I think that was her screaming! We have to do something!" Panic set in as Joy started to shake.

"Joy, we need to find her. Stay calm and collected, you hear me?" He reached for his Sidestar, checking it and then loading it.

She nodded, wary of what happened to her friend.

After getting their things, they began the search in the dark. It took them hours, but they eventually found the opening to the cave she fell in.

Joy shouted Kary's name at the top of her lungs, the sound echoing throughout the cave. They went back to camp and got their climbing gear, returning and lowering themselves into the deep cavern. There they came across their worst fears. The unconscious body of their friend holding a strange foreign object.

"KARY!" Joy was the first to rush to her side. Panic began setting in from the look in her eyes as she checked her head.

"Kary! No!" Tristen followed. He immediately checked her pulse. "She's still with us and, other than a few scrapes, she doesn't seem to be injured." He noticed the curved metallic entity in her grasp. "What's that?"

"It doesn't matter. We need to get back to Navarro! She needs help!" The tears welling in her eyes began falling on Kary's face.

Tristen nodded, "Agreed. Help me get her on my back. She's got a few cuts and bruises, which I can treat at camp, but we need to get her to her father. We'll use one of the tents as a gurney and carry her back.

Joy wiped the tears from her eyes. "Okay."

"And Joy." He smiled. "She's going to be alright, I promise." He hoped he wasn't lying…

After hours of arduous travel with the unconscious Karyme in tow, Tristen and Joy rushed inside the outpost's clinic. Though it was well into daytime, Dr. Bishara was having a hot cup of coffee and reading a slate whilst sitting at his desk. When the two arrived, he dropped the mug, shattering it all over the floor. Worry adorned his expression as he rushed to their side.

"Karyme!" His thoughts of professionalism were overtaken by those of fatherhood. "Get her on the table, you two. I want a full explanation as soon as she's safe."

"Right." Tristen and Joy said in tandem. They put her on the operating table, where Dr. Bishara put a saline IV into her hand and hooked her up to the EKG monitor. They attempted to wrestle the object from her grasp to no avail.

"I can't lose you too, Karyme… Please be okay." Sweat dripped from the father's brow as he put a hand on hers. "Do you two have any idea what this object she's holding is?"

Joy looked down at the metallic entity. "None whatsoever. We found her like this after she screamed." She clenched her fists, the feeling of shame washing over her for acting helpless when her friend was in trouble.

Tristen stayed oddly silent throughout the encounter as he looked down, gritting his teeth.

"Physically she's fine, other than a few scrapes and bruises. Mentally… This object did something to her and it's affecting her nervous system." He cursed under his breath. "I don't have the equipment here for a full psychiatric evaluation or a brain scan. We need to make due by getting that damned hunk of metal away from her." Dr. Bishara went through his medicine drawer and pulled out a vial of sedative. "Her muscles are still tense and we need her to release the object. I'm going to administer a sedative to slow her central nervous system. After that takes effect, we will be able to pry it from her."

After injecting the fluid into the IV, the three waited a couple of minutes before noticing Kary's grasp visibly weaken. With their strength combined, they pulled her arms off of the object. The object fell to the floor with Clank!

As Joy picked up the object and began to set it on the table, a woman wearing farming clothes walked in. "What happened?!" The woman looked upset and extremely worried.

"Mom!" Joy rushed over to hug the woman.

Dr. Bishara wiped his forehead, "Joanna, it seems our kids are back to their same old mischief…"

"Is she going to be okay?" Joanna hugged her daughter while looking at the doctor.

"I won't let her out of my sight."

Another figure entered the clinic. A man covered head to toe in grease stains. "What the hell happened here, mates?"

"Dad, everything's fine." Tristen scoffed.

"We need to give Karyme time to recuperate. I kindly ask that all of you leave my office unless you're sick or injured."

Everyone nodded and started for the exit.

Joy looked back at Kary then back at the ground. "Please be alright, Kary…"

Eventually the room cleared and the only two remaining were Kary and her father. "You're going to make it through this. You're a fighter. Just like your mother."

"So, you're saying she was holding that artifact when you found her. Unconscious? The whole kit and kaboodle?"

"Artifact, metallic entity, whatever you want to call it, yes. When the others brought her to me, she was holding onto it with all her strength.

Karyme's eyes fluttered open, awakened by the sounds of a distant conversation.

"How long has she been out?"

"This will be her third day."

"Any rapid eye movement, talking in her sleep, anything to suggest a highly active hippocampus?"

"Yes, but how could you possibly know about that?"

"You could say I'm an expert on the subject."

Kary turned her head to the two. On the right was her father, on the left was a complete stranger. He had a beard like her father and he wore an orange and dark gray jacket. His skin tone was dark brown and he had a presence about him. He looked like an explorer.

"Dad?..." She put a hand on her head, noticing the IV stuck in it.

A wave of relief and joy struck her father as he rushed to her bedside. "Karyme! You've finally… I was afraid… I'm so happy to hear your voice again my dear." He gave her a big hug.

"Dad?... How long was I out?" A moment of realization hit her. "Where's the thingy?!"

The stranger laughed and held it up. "Thingy? That's a new one."

"And who are you exactly?" Kary tilted her head, eagerly awaiting a reply.

"Karyme, this is Barrett. He's with a group known as Constellation. They're… an explorer's group." Her dad ended the embrace.

"And I've got a couple of questions for ya, little lady."

"Please, give my daughter time to catch her breath. She just woke up from a coma."

"Right… I'll just be waiting over here. Take all the time you need." Barrett walked out of the clinic and began wandering the outpost. As he exited the door, "Your pal's awake now by the way. Should go and say hi."

Joy and Tristen both smiled and ran into the clinic. Kary smiled with joy as the three shared a sigh of relief.

"I'm sorry I ruined our one trip, you guys."

"Trip? Who cares? You're safe and that's all that matters!" Tristen blurted.

Joy nodded vigorously, "I was worried sick! I'm so glad you're feeling better!" She delicately combed her fingers through her red hair.

"I'm sorry Joy. I'm feeling much better now though!" She turned to her father, who was still bedside. "Think you can unhook me from the IV. I need to get some fresh air."

"Of course, kiddo." He smiled and gently pulled the needle out from her vein in her left hand. He then put some gauze and a bandage over it to stop the bleeding. "All set, TP. Here, let me help you up."

"Sure thing, dad. Thanks for watching over me you guys. I'm lucky to have such good friends." She beamed, causing a chain reaction of smiles to go around.

She thought that it would be a struggle to get up, but after a moment of hesitation and help from her father, she got up and was walking around in no time.

It wasn't long before she found herself across the table from Barrett, who was enjoying a steak sandwich prepared by her father. She was joined by Joy and Tristen at the table, who wanted to learn as well.

"So, I heard you're something of a xenobiologist around here. So young and already spearheading a science division for your outpost. Pretty impressive if I do say so myself." Barrett talked with his mouth half full.

"You make it sound so formal…" Kary rubbed the back of her neck, unsure how to accept the praise. "I'm just following in my mother's footsteps. She was leading xeno… everything before I was."

"That's a noble path. If I would've done the same, I would be the best smuggler in the Settled Systems. At least, that's what I tell myself." He chuckled.

"C'mon, don't leave us in suspense here! You know what happened to Kary, don't you?" Tristen was practically bursting out of his seat.

"She's gonna be alright, right? No permanent damage?" Joy felt her natural cautious instincts kick in.

"You mean the light show and music after touching that marvel of science? Can't say for certain. Same thing happened to me a few years back and I'm still kickin'. I'm sure you'll be fine. Probably." Barrett finished his sandwich and took a swig of his Boom! Pop! Cola.

"Wait… Probably? That's not reassuring at all!" Kary pointed at the man opposite her. "It happened to you too?"

"It sure did, kiddo. That actually leads me to my first question. What did you experience when you touched the artifact? I want all the juicy details."

Everyone turned to face Kary, eager to hear what exactly happened.

"Well, it felt like my mind was sucked out of my head. Like a hand grabbed my shoulder and dragged me out into space. Music started playing, getting louder as I was pulled through the stars. I can remember it so vividly…"

"Woah…" Joy spoke under her voice. Both fascinated and worried for Kary's wellbeing.

"It seems we're similar in that we both experienced the same thing. Pulled through the darkest sea like toddlers on their way to time-out. All while horns fortissimo'ed."

"Wouldn't that be a crescendo?" Tristen blinked.

"I knew one of you was going to correct me on that. Well done." Barrett was nonchalant as he slowly clapped for the young man, getting a snicker out of him. "In any case, you're doing much better than I did. Was out for a week. Had the whole of Constellation crying into my lap. Good times." He had a carefree cadence to his voice.

"Kinda reminds me of something." Kary smirked at her friends, causing Joy to tense up and blush.

Tristen looked away bashfully, "Yeah, well… We were worried, okay?"

Kary giggled, "Well I appreciate it, you big softie."

Barrett cleared his throat, "Getting back on track."

The three simultaneously turned to face Barrett.

"Karyme, how are you with starships?" Barrett grinned.

The three looked at each other, pondering the meaning of the question.

"Um.. I've been on one once when we took a family trip to Akila City a few years back, but other than that…"

"You'll have plenty of time to learn the ropes on the way to New Atlantis."

The three paused, shocked to hear the proposal this stranger was suggesting.

"Now, I understand. That's a lot to take in. I bet you're wondering, Barrett, you're a stranger and my parents told me to never jump on board a stranger's ship." He waved his index finger, "This is different. We need to get you to Constellation asap, kiddo. We're the only ones qualified to study the artifact and the visions they gave us. Plus, I bet you're dying to find out what really happened like I am right now. I can practically see it in your eyes." He pointed his thumb towards his chest. "You're an explorer at heart, Karyme. You belong with Constellation."

Kary's mind raced. The prospect of leaving home was both terrifying and exhilarating. She closed her eyes and breathed deeply, drowning out the conversation around her. "Promise me… Karyme…" The words echoed in her mind. In that instant, she knew what her answer was.

"I'll give you some time to think about it." Barrett replied.

"I'm in." A fierce look of determination crossed Kary's face.

"What?!" The other two blurted out.

"But! I'm a package deal. I go, they come with us." She turned to her friends, "If you'll join me."

"I… I can't leave! I've got too much going on here to go explore space. I'm sorry…" Tristen looked regretful, but sure of his answer.

"I'm sorry, Kary… Even if I wanted to go… My parents… They'd never let me leave Navarro." Joy looked down, distressed at the fact that they were losing Kary.

Barrett saw the awkwardness in the air and stood up, putting his plate in the sink. "I'll let you three talk."

The three friends sat in silence for a moment before finally, someone broke the ice.

"You're not seriously thinking about leaving us, right? This is your home, Kary!" Tristen clenched his fist on the table.

Kary slammed her hands down, "Look, I made a promise to my mom, and I have to keep it. No matter what! Constellation might be my best shot!"

Joy looked at Kary, then got up and ran out the front door. She avoided any eye contact with the two. Her eyes watery and brimming with tears.

"Joy!" Kary reached out to her with her hand to no avail.

Leaning up against a tree a short distance outside Navarro was Joy. Her head in her hands, letting her emotions out with sobs and tears, crying to herself.

A figure walked up and sat down next to her. He was a middle-aged man with similar features to her. Red hair, thick eyebrows, and a smile that could warm anyone's heart. He took his wide brimmed hat off and put it on Joy's head. "You look glum, sweetheart. Anything your old man can help with?" She pulled her in for a side hug. "I make a pretty good listener when I need to be. Ask your mother." He chuckled.

She leaned her forehead on his shoulder and sobbed. "Kary's leaving Navarro and there's nothing I can do about it. I don't know what to do! I want to go with her so bad, but I'm scared. I don't wanna leave you and mom or grandma and grandpa. I just… I'm scared." Tears fell from her face, soaking into her father's shirt.

Jaime Dalton was a traditional man, very down to Earth. He made his decisions based on what was best for his outpost. He ran Navarro like a family, and he liked to keep his family close. Joy, however, was about to hear something she never expected.

He gave a melancholic smile to his daughter, like he knew this moment was destined. "Ya know, at some point I knew you were gonna leave home. Didn't know how or when, but you're a resourceful girl and you've got a great head on your shoulders. If you want my advice, do what makes your heart proud. Don't worry about us, we'll be fine." He held her tight, "Growin' ain't just for you kiddos. Maybe it's time that I move on and let you be your own woman. Not just my favorite little girl."

Joy wiped the tears away with her sleeve. "I… I love you, dad. I'm gonna miss you and mom and grandma and grandpa and the Atchley's and the Lee's and…"

Mr. Dalton laughed, "We'll miss you too. Just… Promise me you'll visit me once you've solved that science project you've been working on."

She smiled. With a nod, she left the embrace and got up. Jogging back to Navarro to pack her bags.

"This is a terrible idea and terribly dangerous! I cannot allow you to leave!" Kary's father shouted from across the house.

"This isn't up for debate, dad! I'm going and that's final! I promised mom…"

"Your mother died three years ago, Karyme! You're all I have left in this godforsaken universe!" His voice was shaky and emotional rather than stern.

"I… I'm sorry… I know this is hard, but… I have to find out what that artifact did to me. I have to. If you can't see why I need to do this, then… You're not the man I thought you were." Her eyes were tearful. She knew what she had to do, but hated that they'd leave things off on a sour note.

Dr. Bishara stood in silence as he watched his daughter pack her bags and walk out the front door. "Karyme.. I…" He was too late and the door was shut. He took a seat on his couch and simply stared at the wall blankly.

She met Barrett in the center of the outpost, near the radio tower.

"You ready?" He had one hand on his hip and the other holding the artifact.

"Yeah." Kary said coldly. She stormed past him, ready to leave and move on.

"Must've been a tough conversation. I won't pry. In any case, it's time you met Vasco." He caught up to her.

The two eventually made their way to where the ship was landed. It was an explorer class starship. The majority of the color scheme was classic white and gray with hints of black and gold metallic finish. The four landing thrusters were facing the ground and the landing bay was open. Standing next to the ramp upwards was a bipedal robot with long angular arms and thick legs facing backwards like a creature with digitigrade legs.

It tilted its head, "Barrett, are we adding a new crew member to the Frontier?" Its voice was monotone and robotic.

"That's right Vasco. This is Karyme Bishara. You're lookin' at the newest member of Constellation."

"It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Ms. Karyme Bishara. I am Vasco. I look forward to working with you in the future."

"Uh… Likewise." She didn't know what to make of it.

The three got in the landing bay. Vasco entered the ship and began operating it through wireless connection. "We will be lifting off shortly, I highly recommend you enter the Frontier." The robot's voice blared over the intercom.

"You heard the bot, you'll love the view from space. Can't wait to see your reaction!" Barrett placed a hand on her shoulder before entering the ship himself.

The colonists living in Navarro began forming near the ship, waving goodbye to their family member. As the thrusters shot bright hot flames, Kary noticed a figure running towards them in the distance.

"WAIT!" Joy shouted with all her might. The ship started shaking as it began hovering.

"Joy?!" Karyme looked over in astonishment. She had never seen her friend run so fast in all her life.

"I'M COMING WITH YOU! WE CAN FULFILL YOUR PROMISE, TOGETHER!" She huffed and puffed, finally making it to the ship as it began taking off. Joy jumped, barely making it. Kary reached out a hand to help and she took it eagerly. While being pulled on board, the two tripped and collapsed onto one another.

Kary started laughing as she was pinned to the ground. Joy's face turned bright red as she jumped off her and banged her head against the wall of the landing bay. The ship took off and began its flight into the starfield. Karyme smiled, thinking about what was going to happen next.

"Promise me… Karyme… Promise me you'll go out there and see it all. See all I wasn't able to. Find yourself out there in the stars."

To be continued...