Chapter 1
“Entering Earth’s atmosphere in two hours,” EVE said. “Engaging cloaking sequence.”
I looked up from the console. “Why engage cloaking now? We’re still outside their detection range.”
The doors slid open before EVE could answer.
Kiara stepped onto the command deck, Raith at her side. She moved like she belonged there, eyes already fixed ahead.
“Because Earth might not be so welcoming,” Kiara said, “as I was.”
My brow furrowed. “You want to go back.”
“I do,” she said. “That doesn’t mean Earth will welcome what it doesn’t understand.”
Raith said nothing.
I clenched my jaw. “So how exactly do you and Commander Raith plan to step onto Earth without your people trying to kill him?”
Kiara turned then, calm as ever.
“That,” she said,“I haven’t planned yet.”
Tovan snorted beside me.
I let out a slow breath. “That’s comforting.”
Raith’s gaze flicked to me, sharp enough to shut me up instantly.
Before anyone could say more, EVE’s voice cut through the deck.
“Attention,” EVE said. “We are now approaching Earth’s upper atmospheric boundary.”
The room stilled.
“Cloaking sequence is holding,” she continued, “however, I am detecting a significant increase in electromagnetic activity along the eastern hemisphere.”
“Shit,” Kiara muttered. “That’s probably NASA satellites.”
Tovan straightened. “They can see us?”
“Not directly,” EVE replied. “However, their tracking systems are unusually active. Multiple observation arrays have shifted orientation within the last six minutes.”
I frowned. “So they’re looking… they just don’t know what they’re looking for.”
“Correct,” EVE said. “At present, your vessel registers as atmospheric noise.”
Raith’s jaw tightened. “For how long?”
“That depends,” EVE answered. “On whether Earth continues escalating its surveillance protocols.”
Kiara crossed her arms, eyes locked on the forward display.
“Which means,” she said quietly, “we don’t have much room for error.”
A beat passed.
EVE added, almost casually, “I would also like to note that several government agencies have begun cross-referencing unidentified atmospheric data.”
Tovan groaned. “Of course they have.”
Kiara let out a slow breath. “Alright,” she said. “No sudden moves. We stay quiet, we stay invisible—and we do not give them a reason to panic.”
Raith glanced at her. “And if they notice us anyway?”
Kiara huffed softly. “Well… then we tell them we come in peace.”
Tovan let out a short laugh. “That always works out so well.”
Raith’s gaze stayed forward, . “Humans don’t tend to react calmly to the unknown.”
“I know,” Kiara said. “But panicking or hiding forever isn’t an option either.”
EVE’s tone remained maddeningly pleasant. “For accuracy, historical data suggests a thirty-seven percent chance of immediate hostile response.”
I grimaced. “Love those odds.”
“However,” EVE continued, “there is also a sixty-three percent probability that initial confusion will delay any aggressive action.”
Kiara nodded once. “Then that’s our window.”
Raith finally looked at her. “You’re certain?”
“No,” she admitted. “But I’m human. If someone’s going to talk to them, it should be me.”
A brief silence settled over the deck.
EVE spoke again. “Cloaking will remain engaged unless overridden.”
Kiara squared her shoulders. “Good. We stay invisible until we decide otherwise.”
Raith inclined his head. “Then we proceed carefully.”
EVE added, almost cheerfully, “Approach vector adjusted. Welcome home, Kiara.”
I snorted. “Yeah. Welcome home.”
Raith fixed me with a look— that said he was unimpressed and very much a warning.
I immediately got to my feet. “Right,” I said, holding up my hands. “I’ll… go do my job.”
Tovan smirked as I moved off, and I pretended not to see it.
Behind me, I heard Kiara let out a quiet laugh before she sobered.
EVE’s voice carried calmly across the deck. “Disembarkation sequence standing by.”
“EVE,” Kiara said, “make sure you put us down in the least populated area.”
“Understood,” EVE replied. “Scanning for low-density human presence.”
Kiara turned to Raith then, giving him a pointed look. “And you,” she added, “I think you’d better put on your helmet.”
Raith arched a brow. Then nodded.
I’d like this to start my journey back home without screaming.” Kiara spoke.
A corner of his mouth twitched as he reached for his helmet. “A reasonable precaution.”
“Landing zone selected,” EVE announced.
I glanced back toward them. “For the record,” I muttered, “this is officially the weirdest welcome-home party I’ve ever seen.”
Raith settled the helmet into place and looked at Kiara. “Ready?”
She took a steady breath and nodded. “As I’ll ever be.”
EVE’s tone softened just slightly. “Disembarkation in five… four…”
As I watch Kiara and the commander disappear.
