Saturn Streak

The locker room was silent. Not the kind of silence before a big game, where nerves crackled in the air, but the kind of silence when a team had no idea what came next.

Brandon Jordan sat on the bench, elbows on his knees, watching his teammates shift uncomfortably. They had played together for years on Trex City, dominating the league back home. But this was Earth now, and things were different. Their longtime coach, Rodger Steavens, wasn’t coming with them on this journey.

And now, they had two coaches—but only one could stay.

The heavy metal doors swung open, and in walked Doris Burke, clipboard in hand, her expression calm, analytical. Behind her was Becky Hammon, arms crossed, her signature smirk already on display.

“All right,” Doris said, setting her clipboard down. “Let’s get right to it. You all know why we’re here. You’re great players, but without a system in place, you’re just talent with no direction. That’s where I come in.”

“No offense,” Becky cut in, stepping forward, “but I don’t do systems. I do winning. And you don’t win without trusting your instincts—not just plays on a clipboard.”

Brandon’s teammates exchanged glances. He could already feel the divide forming.

“Let’s start simple,” Doris continued. “What’s your team name?”

Brandon stood up, his 6’6” frame towering over the two coaches. His voice was steady, confident.

“Saturn Interesting’s.”

For a second, neither Doris nor Becky responded. Then—

Becky burst out laughing.

“Wait, wait, wait—” she held up a hand, still grinning. “You’re telling me, you came all the way to Earth to chase basketball history… and that’s the best name you could come up with?”

Brandon didn’t flinch. “We don’t need a flashy name. We make history, and they’ll remember it.”

Becky shook her head, still smirking, but Doris had already moved on. “All right, Brandon. I assume you’re the leader here?”

“I’m the captain,” he said, making sure to emphasize the word.

Becky leaned in slightly. “You mean you think you’re the coach.”

Brandon’s jaw tightened.

“Oh boy,” one of his teammates muttered.

Doris stepped between them, cutting the tension. “We’ll be running two separate coaching trials,” she said. “Each of you will experience my system—high IQ play, ball movement, efficiency, discipline.”

“And mine,” Becky added, folding her arms. “Fast, aggressive, play without fear.”

Brandon met both their eyes, unwavering.

“I don’t care how we do it,” he said. “We’re not losing.”

Becky smirked. Doris nodded.

The trial had begun.