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EMBARK ON A THRILLING JOURNEY ACROSS!
STARTING TODAY, each newsletter (2x weekly) brings you a new chapter of GOING ACROSS, the story of Nova's daring quest across galaxies.
GOING ACROSS
Chapter 1: The Leap
Nova’s fingers trembled as he replayed the message. A flicker of movement. A scream, cut short. Static swallowed the rest. His pulse hammered. He patted The Lynx’s hull, the cool metal grounding him. Somewhere across an ocean of stars, she was waiting. And he was going to find her.
The night wind howled across Planet Murr’s docking bay, tugging at his worn Louis blue sweatshirt—the one she’d given him on his last birthday. He pulled the zipper higher, as if that could ward off the chill creeping through his bones. Behind him, wildflowers swayed in the ringed moon’s light, their sweet scent tangled with the sharp bite of engine oil. He turned his back on their peaceful glow. The edge of the galaxy was waiting.
With Pip and Dot flanking him, 23-year-old Nova boarded The Lynx and slid into the pilot’s seat. His fingers hovered over the controls for half a second—just long enough to steady himself. Then, he keyed in the comet card for Ora. The ship hummed to life, its engines firing in steady rhythm as it lifted off.
“Course locked,” the system chimed.
Pip: “Lynx, are you sure that’s steady? Sounds like you’re holding in a sneeze.”
Dot: “If it sneezes, we’re the first ones out the hatch.”
Nova: “Guys, not now. Let me focus.”
Planet Murr disappeared beneath him as the golden glow of the Ora Nebula began to fill the view ahead.
The Ora Nebula, a radiant cloud of orange and gold, was an active hub for travelers, run by the Gale community -a federation of traders, mechanics, and inventors. Its orange atmosphere bathed the Lynx’s cockpit in warm light, making the small gold hoop in Nova's right ear twinkle. It was alive with the energy of many ships resting at its gaseous expanse. As Nova approached, the ship’s sensors pinged, guiding him to a docking station. Nova expertly parked and stepped off his ship, Pip walking and Dot rolling behind him, as he scanned the crowd of beings around him. The nebula’s port was bathed in warm lighting, with golden particles twinkling in the air and curling tendrils of fog sneaking through, creating a cozy, inviting hangout ambiance. Nova, with Pip and Dot in tow, walked into the convenience store as the automatic doors hissed open. He stopped at the aisle on the left, to grab a beverage, scanning rows of brightly colored bottles and cans, each boasting the galaxy's popular flavors. He picked his mum's favorite, Frosted Mint Fizz—a cobalt-blue can. Though he didn't care much for this flavor, today he missed her a little more.
With the can in hand, he made his way to the attached café. A few tables were scattered across the seating area, and the clinking of utensils against plates mingled with the low murmur of conversations. Nova chose a seat near the back, far from the more populated tables. Pip and Dot climbed next to him. He cracked open his drink and leaned back, letting his gaze wander across the room.
Meanwhile, in the same solar system, not far from Planet Murr, 25-year-old Nikolai, stood in the crisp chill of Planet Yunara, his breath forming small clouds in the icy air as he admired the planet’s extended rings, sparkling in the sky like daytime stars. The dome theatre before him, inspired by one he had seen on another planet, was his latest project. “Looks good,” Maxim, Nikolai’s 6-feet-tall, gunmetal-gray, custom-made assistant bot, remarked. “Structurally flawless, as always. Aesthetically… sufficient, I suppose.” Nikolai let out a quiet puff of air. “Da.”
With no family to ground him, Nikolai spent his life exploring the galaxy, building, and staying busy. Now, with the dome theatre finally completed after taking more time than expected, he needed a change of scenery. Wearing his midnight blue coat, he climbed into one of his spaceships, each a marvel of engineering, and signaled Maxim to follow with a two-finger gesture. Maxim tilted his head slightly, “Ora Nebula? Again? The quintessential spot for relaxation. I must say, your commitment to that place is fascinating.” He keyed in the comet card to Ora, adding, “It’s not like we’ve been overworked or anything. Oh wait—I have.” Nikolai had grown accustomed to Maxim’s sarcasm, though he often wondered how the bot had developed such a sharp personality—he certainly hadn’t programmed it. Still, Maxim was his only constant companion, and the dry humor was strangely comforting.
Their journey to Ora was quick, and soon the ship glided into the port, alive with noise and motion. Nikolai and Maxim made their way through the parking area and the huge convenience store with practiced ease, weaving through crowds of travelers and Gale employees. The air carried the familiar aroma of exotic spices from distant worlds, something Nikolai craved every now and then. The Ora Café was exactly as they'd left it: cozy, simple, and filled with gentle chatter. They went past the staff door to find their three Gale friends, still caught up in the middle of their shifts. The Gale guys noticed them and offered Nikolai respectful nods. The Green Sort Gale guided them to an empty table. “Eat What?” he asked. “The usual,” said Nikolai. Maxim quipped, “Add a side of regret if it’s anything like last time.” Nikolai shot him a dry look, one that said, Was that necessary? Maxim only shrugged, spreading his hands in mock innocence. “What?” he said. The Gale returned moments later, his six hands juggling trays of food and drinks tailored to Nikolai’s tastes. Nikolai savored his comfort food, while Maxim kept the atmosphere lively with his sardonic commentary, making witty observations about everyone and everything around them as they waited for their friends to finish their shifts.
Just outside this solar system, 23-year-old Nyssa arrived on Rose Nebula, searching for her father’s old friend in the communications office. As she approached the office, a sharp sting in her upper arm made her flinch. Glancing down, she saw blood oozing from a fresh wound—a bullet had grazed her. Before she could process what had happened, another round of fire struck the wall in front of her. Her breath hitched as panic set in. Turning around, she saw three assassins standing in the shadow, their weapons aimed at her.
She ran, sneaked, and hid, huffing through the port and into the crowds, leaving them behind. She didn’t turn back to check, but when she finally did, they were apparently gone. By then, she had reached the taxi booth. Her lungs burned as she pulled her scarf from her black backpack, wrapping it tightly around her long, dark brown hair, covering her face up to her small nose, leaving only her honey-brown eyes exposed. She reached the ticket counter, trying to steady her trembling hands. Noticing her distress, the Gale ticket manager asked gently, “Are you okay?” She managed a quick nod and a faint smile, the emotion clear in her eyes. As she loaded the ticket onto her leaf, her gaze landed on the illuminated news board, and a wave of horror struck her. Her face stared back at her, plastered across the screen beneath the bold headline:
WANTED for High Treason and Interplanetary Communication Sabotage.
Bounty: 25,000 Cols and 6 particles.
Frozen in place, hands cold and legs shaking, Nyssa almost missed the boarding bell. The sharp sound broke through her panic, and she hurried into the spaceship cab. The scarf had worked as intended, but just momentarily. A being in the cab stared at her for far too long, his knowing look enough to make her bail again. Clicking the button on her seat for the next immediate stop, she found a quick exit from this impending doom.
The stop was at Ora Nebula, her ankle-length boots clicking softly on the docking platform. Her stomach growled angrily, but the thought of sitting down for a meal in public made her chest tighten. Blending into the crowd, she moved purposefully toward the restrooms. Inside a stall, she pulled out her black kohl eyeliner and three of her red and pink liquid lipsticks, hurriedly smearing them over her hands and face to mimic the blood-red skin of an Eloi. Carefully, she darkened her eyes with the eyeliner, creating the hollow-eyed look typical of their species. “Thankfully, I’m wearing a full-sleeved turtleneck today; otherwise, what would I have done?” she thought, wrapping her scarf over her hair again to complete the disguise. Her honey-brown eyes stared back at her, her reflection in the restroom mirror almost unrecognizable. The disguise was far from perfect, but it would have to do. “I’m famished,” she thought, her stomach twisting in knots. “If I don’t eat now, I’ll die before anyone can even claim that bounty.” She took a deep breath, steadied her mind, and exited the restroom with her head low. Quietly, she made her way toward the Ora Café, walking past the beverages aisle and settling at a table near the door, amidst the busy tables.
Pip: “Nova, you haven’t checked your Leaf in ages. Hand it over—we wanna play games!”
Dot: “Brilliant plan, Pip. Let’s drain the battery before the mission even starts.”
Nova (shaking his head): “Not happening. You’ll delete my contacts again.”
With a sigh, Nova pulled out his Leaf, opening the front camera and running his fingers through his loose brown hair. The wavy short strands framed his face, and he tilted his head, trying to tame a few rebellious locks before giving up.
Notifications flooded his screen: texts from friends asking about his well-being and whereabouts. He stared at them for a moment, then let the device drop onto the table, screen-down. “I can’t deal with this right now,” he thought, rubbing his temples. What am I supposed to say? Hey, I’m fine, just piecing myself together after a disaster and trying to figure out how to save her”? He scoffed quietly and took a sip of his drink, its frosty sweetness doing little to lighten the weight in his chest. They wouldn’t get it anyway, he told himself, though a small, guilty part of him knew it wasn’t their fault. But after everything that had happened in the past few days, he didn’t have the emotional energy to even read their messages, let alone respond. The chaos was still too fresh—too raw to confront, even in his own thoughts.
He leaned back further in his chair, letting his eyes wander to the golden light filtering through the café. The murmur of conversation and the clatter of plates was a welcome distraction, even if it couldn’t silence the storm in his mind.
Ook: “Nova!”
A familiar voice called. Nova turned to see Ook, one of his closest friends, striding toward him with a broad grin. The two clasped hands in a firm handshake.
Ook: “Nova, it’s been too long!” his voice booming with enthusiasm. “Some things never change, huh?”
Nova: “Yes, my bro Ook, you sure know how to keep those muscles of yours in shape, no matter how much time passes,” he said with a smirk, looking at his friend.
Ook: “You’re one to talk, Nova. Still as tall and sturdy as ever—makes me look like I’m slacking,” he chuckled, flexing his biceps playfully.
Ook, an Eloi, was just as tall, muscular, and human-like as Nova, but their crimson skin, the color of freshly spilled blood, and hollow black eyes that seemed to drink in the light gave them an otherworldly, almost unsettling appearance. Yet, the Eloi had long been respected across the galaxy for their unwavering loyalty and steadfast commitment to their word—a trait ingrained in their very existence. Nova had always admired this trait, though a part of him occasionally wondered: Does Ook consider me a true friend, or is this just part of that loyalty he’s bound to uphold?
Still, as he stood there now, that doubt didn’t surface. A sigh of relief escaped him, easing some of the tension that had gripped his shoulders. “So,” Ook began, “What brings you here? Where’s your Leaf? Why haven’t you replied to my texts in forever? How’s your mum? Are you heading somewhere?” The questions came rapid-fire, leaving Nova no room to respond. He opened his mouth to answer, but Ook pressed on, his words tumbling out in a mix of excitement and concern. It wasn’t that Nova didn’t appreciate Ook’s energy, but the sheer pace left him overwhelmed, his own exhaustion draining any ability to keep up. He let the words wash over him, leaning back slightly as Ook’s enthusiasm filled the air. Finally, when the bombardment of questions subsided, Nova gave a quiet, measured response. “My Leaf had some… issues,” he said, his voice low. “As for Mum… she’ll be fine. I’m sure.” He tried to sound convincing, though even he wasn’t entirely sure.
“You seem ecstatic, what’s up with you?” Nova asked, raising an eyebrow. Ook laughed, his tone softening but still energetic. “Is your Leaf working now?” Nova nodded, glancing at the device on the table. Ook’s apparent lack of awareness of his drained state caught him off guard, but Nova brushed it aside. Maybe it’s just today, he thought. Nothing off otherwise. “I’m going to Silv Nebula! I finally have a date with the love of my life. Would you mind dropping me off there? This meal is on me. Look, I even bought her a ring!” Ook said, his excitement practically radiating off him. “A ring on the first date?” Nova chuckled, shaking his head at his friend’s eagerness—or maybe desperation. “Oh, Ook, take it slow, will you?” For the first time in what felt like ages, Nova laughed—a genuine, hearty laugh that caught even himself off guard. He added with a smile, “But sure, of course I’ll drop you. You don’t even have to ask.”
Finishing their meal just minutes later, Nova, Ook, Pip, and Dot got up and made their way toward the exit. As they approached the automatic door, Nova collided with two beings walking in. Thud! Nova’s elbow smacked against one of theirs. He didn’t get a good look at the being’s face, but a deck of playing cards tumbled from their hands to the floor. “I’m so sorry, I didn’t see you,”said Nova, quickly crouching down to pick up the scattered cards. The being crouched as well, his reptilian hands hastily gathering the cards. As Nova picked up a few, he noticed something peculiar—all the cards that had flipped over were Kings: King of spades, clubs, diamonds, and hearts. He found this kind of amusing. After handing the deck back, Nova rejoined the group waiting outside.
Nova: “I have to pick up Comet Cards at the Comet Registry. Let’s go there first, and then we’ll head to Lynx.”
Ook: “I do have the navigations for Silv Nebula. Where are you going?”
Nova hesitated for a moment, considering whether he should answer. Finally, he said: “Planet Bruth.”
Ook: “Planet Bruth? What’s there?”
Nova: “I’ll tell you later. Let’s get going.”
Not far from the scene at the door, but seated separately and unaware of each other’s presence, Nikolai and Maxim were at a table in the left seating area, while Nyssa sat alone on the right side. Nikolai and Maxim were chilling, enjoying their snacks with three Gale friends who had joined them after finishing their shift. The group was immersed in a discussion about politics, policies, technology, engineering, and trade, with Maxim, as always, adding his sharp and witty remarks.
Nyssa, however, was in stark contrast to their casual gathering. She sat hunched over her plate, trying to stay inconspicuous. Hiding from the bounty on her head, she was eating her first meal in over 30 hours, her hands and face smeared with the Eloi disguise makeup. She did her best to look normal, blending into the crowd, while her mind raced to figure out how and where to go next. “All I have is my backpack, money pod, and the translator brooch—and, well, the love from all mercenaries. Where can I possibly go now?” she thought.
When Nova collided with the beings at the door, the sudden disruption drew both Nikolai’s and Nyssa’s attention. Nikolai, ever sharp-eyed, leaned back in his seat to get a better view of the commotion. Though Nova’s back was to the café, obscuring his face, the beings and the deck of cards spilling to the floor piqued Nikolai’s curiosity. “Maxim,” Nikolai gestured subtly, and Maxim, ever efficient, recorded the entire incident using his eye camera.
Nyssa, already seated close to the door, had a clear line of sight. Her sharp gaze caught the deck of cards as it scattered, her eyes locking onto the multiple Kings—spades, clubs, diamonds, hearts. A strong suspicion ran through her. “Kings… all Kings?” she thought, as she paid her bill at once, grabbed the rest of her sandwich in a tissue, and slipped out quietly. Nikolai, meanwhile, stayed with his friends, finishing their conversation over the next 20 minutes and then left the café with Maxim at his side.
Nova, Ook, Pip, and Dot collected the Comet Cards from the Registry and headed back to the Lynx. Once inside, Ook settled into the seat next to the pilot’s chair. Nova took some time to ensure the hatch and locks were secure, while Pip and Dot were already in the middle of a heated argument—this time with Ook and the ship’s system.
Pip: “Ook, that’s our seat! You can’t just sit there. It’s reserved for official Lynx assistants—and that’s us!”
Dot: “Exactly! And Lynx didn’t even warm up the cabin for Nova like we asked. Lynx, do you ever listen to us?”
Lynx System: “Seat designations remain as programmed. Please refrain from unnecessary chatter.”
Pip: “Unnecessary? Unnecessary?! Do you hear this, Dot? We’re the soul of this ship!”
Dot: “We should rename Lynx to Tin Ears. It’s more fitting.”
Nova, unfazed by their usual antics, ignored them as he always did, taking the pilot’s seat and guiding the Lynx into the departure queue behind the other spaceships, heading to Silv Nebula.
Meanwhile, Nyssa was at the taxi hub, studying the galaxy’s map and trying to piece together her next move. She stared at the screen, her thoughts racing. “Father told me he had a friend near Ora… but who was ittt… I can’t remember. Ugh.” She rubbed her temples, frustration mounting. Her gaze fell on a nearby marker. Planet Lumino. “Maybe it was this. Maybe I could find someone to help me. At least it won’t be as crowded as this place,” she thought, her decision made as she hurried to arrange transport.
“I can’t take the public taxi; I can’t risk being seen,” Nyssa thought as she made her way to the parking area, scanning for a private spaceship. Her eyes landed on a girl-like being with shiny purple skin who stared at her a little too long. Just as Nyssa’s heart sank, thinking she was busted again, the girl’s expression softened, and she gestured for Nyssa to follow. Relieved but cautious, Nyssa climbed onto the ship, fully aware that the girl had likely recognized her. Yet, the girl chose not to act, and Nyssa decided it was a risk worth taking. The purple-skinned girl spoke in a hissing, high-pitched tone. Nyssa’s translator brooch buzzed to life, converting the speech into Nyssa’s tongue.
The girl: “Why the bounty? What did you do?”
Nyssa: “It’s false. I didn’t do anything,” she replied quickly, keeping her tone calm despite her nerves.
The girl: “I see. It’s becoming common. They’re coming.”
Nyssa: “Thank you… Who are ‘they’?”
The girl: “Keep your eyes open. You’ll find them everywhere these days.” She paused, her slitted eyes narrowing. “Do you know anyone on Lumino?”
Nyssa: “Um, yeah, my father’s friends are there,” she lied, not wanting to seem vulnerable.
The girl tilted her head, studying Nyssa intently.
The girl: “I think you’re lying. But I understand. When you reach Lumino, find the river. The people there will understand and help you.”
Nyssa: “Thank you again,” she said sincerely, feeling both wary and grateful.
Their conversation ended as the ship’s engines roared to life, lifting off from Ora and carrying Nyssa toward the unknown safety—or danger—of Lumino.
Sometime later, Nikolai and Maxim arrived at the private parking area and quickly boarded their spaceship. Settling into their seats, they departed through the private lane, leaving Ora behind. Once they reached a quiet, empty stretch of space, Nikolai switched the ship to hover mode.
Nikolai: “Maxim.”
Maxim, sitting next to Nikolai, pressed a button, and a screen slid out smoothly from the dashboard. The clip from Ora Café began to play.
Maxim: [pointing at the screen] “Look at this. The two beings—nervous wrecks. Scrambling to gather their cards like it’s the last thing holding their lives together. Suspicious much?”
Nikolai: “Da. Play it again.”
Maxim: “Again? Fine. Anything else? Want me to add dramatic music?”
He replayed the clip, keeping his tone sarcastic but his actions serious and precise.
Nikolai: “Stop. Zoom in.”
Maxim adjusted the image, zooming in on the cards scattered across the café floor.
Maxim: “Well, well, well. Kings—hearts, diamonds, clubs, spades. All Kings. What are the odds? I’ll bet all my circuits on your sharp eye, Nikolai. Though, to be fair, it’s not much of a gamble when you’re always right.”
Nikolai stayed silent, his focus sharpening as he processed the details.
Nikolai: “Leaf. Call Paltin.”
Maxim: “Ah, yes. Let’s summon the oracle of random tidbits. Because who else would tolerate these your cryptic calls from you.”
He dialed Paltin, and the call rang through the spaceship’s speakers.
Paltin: “Hey, Nik! How are you?”
Nikolai: “Good. You?”
Paltin: “Great as always.”
Nikolai: “I saw something strange on Ora Neb. Where can I get more information on it?”
Paltin: “Strange? Like what?”
Nikolai: “Playing cards. Like the ones I saw last time. But more.”
Paltin: “Huh. Interesting. I’ve got two friends on Planet Bruth working on something similar—strange stuff, not exactly the same, but it might help.”
Nikolai: “Bruth. Okay. Thanks.”
As the call ended, Maxim rolled his glowing eyes and began plotting the course for Planet Bruth.
Maxim: “Bruth it is. Let’s just hope it’s worth the fuel—or are we heading there to add ‘bizarre card collector’ to your growing list of hobbies?”
Nikolai gave Maxim a brief glance, one that acknowledged the comment but offered no response, before switching off hover mode and engaging the thrusters. The spaceship surged forward, heading toward their next destination.
In the vast, endless expanse of space, three paths began to chart their course. Nova, Ook, Pip, and Dot streaked toward Silv Nebula, unaware of the dangers and discoveries awaiting them on Planet Bruth. Nyssa, clutching her backpack tightly, embarked on a solitary journey to Planet Lumino, her mind racing with plans and fears in equal measure. Meanwhile, Nikolai and Maxim, driven by curiosity and an eye for the unusual, closed in on Bruth, the mystery of the Kings pulling them forward. The galaxy spun on, its stars watching silently as destinies inched closer to colliding.
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