Ivan took off the VR goggles, the hum of the machines fading as the simulation powered down. His grin stretched wide, the satisfaction of ten matches and ten decisive victories written all over his face.

Commander Grayson frowned. He watched the last candidate exit the room, head hung low in defeat. While he had expected Ivan to win, the lack of a worthy challenger was disappointing. This wasn’t about proving Ivan’s superiority; it was about finding a capable second pilot for the Black Swan. And so far, no one had met the standard.

“Power everything down,” Grayson said with a sigh. “We’ll try again at the shipyard. Maybe they’ll have someone with real experience.”

Ivan nodded, already flipping switches and shutting down the simulation equipment. “Understood, Commander.”

Grayson paused before leaving. “Good work, Ivan. You made short work of them.” He turned to head toward the door.

Before he reached it, the door slid open. Standing in the entryway were Kai and Eliana, their faces eager. Behind them stood two unfamiliar figures.

The first was a young woman with long hair tied back in a loose braid. She had a natural, approachable beauty, with a presence that exuded both warmth and strength. There is something about her that commander Grayson took instant liking to. She had a healing presence with her, being around her felt comfortable.

The man beside her was rugged, his short-cropped hair messy and a faint stubble on his jaw. His eyes were sharp and observant, though they carried a lingering sorrow that hinted at a difficult past. His posture was steady, even with a clean bandage wrapped neatly around his right hand. Despite his disheveled appearance, there was an undeniable air of experience about him—a calmness that only came with years of weathering storms.

“Let me introduce you,” Eliana said eagerly, gesturing to the pair. “Commander Grayson, this is Lily and Ray, Kai’s friends. They want to join the Black Swan. Oh, and from what Kai told me, Ray is a really good pilot.”

Ivan, in the middle of powering down the simulation equipment, paused immediately at the mention of a “really good pilot.” He turned to study the man, his keen gaze locking onto Ray. There was a sorrowful edge to the man’s demeanor, but Ivan could also sense something else—a quiet intensity, the kind of presence that only came from someone who had seen and survived more than most.

Ivan watched closer, intrigued. “A really good pilot, huh?” he said, his tone measured.

Ray met Ivan’s gaze steadily. “That I won't deny,” he replied simply, his voice calm but carrying a hint of challenge.

Commander Grayson raised an eyebrow, his curiosity piqued as well. “Ray, is it? I’d like to see just how good you are.”

Ivan smirked. “Me too.”

The hum of the simulators returned, filling the room with an electric tension. The simulation was ready once again. Ivan and Ray sat opposite each other, their VR goggles already in place. The energy between them was tense—two challenging auras clashing before the match even began.

Ivan leaned back in his seat, a smug smile curling on his lips. His posture was relaxed, radiating an air of confidence after his winning streak.

Ray, on the other hand, sat upright, both hands steady on the controls. His breathing slow and deep, a clear sign of his focus.

Kai watched him closely, wondering how much pain it must cause to maneuver a ship with an injured hand. If Ray was suffering, he hid it well.

The challenge was straightforward: Ivan and Ray would pilot identical fighters, armed with the same loadouts. They would start at the same altitude, 15 kilometers apart, with weapons primed and ready. The first to destroy their opponent would win.

The simulation screens lit up, displaying a rugged, atmospheric battlefield. The planet’s terrain was anything but forgiving—mountain ranges, deep valleys, winding rivers, and dense forests created a challenging environment ripe for tactical maneuvers.

Kai shifted his gaze between the monitors, analyzing every detail. The arena offered endless possibilities for creative strategies. For both pilots, this wouldn’t just be a test of skill—it would be a battle of wits and adaptability.

“Begin simulation,” Commander Grayson announced, his voice cutting through the hum of the room.

On the monitors, the countdown began: 3… 2… 1… Start!

Both Ivan and Ray pushed their left sticks all the way forward, sending blue flames shooting out from the backs of their fighters. The crafts roared ahead, quickly accelerating to supersonic speeds, each breaking the sound barrier with twin booms that echoed through the simulation.

At the 10-kilometer mark, both pilots made their first move, launching missiles at each other before diving sharply into the terrain. The contrails of the missiles streaked through the air as the fighters left behind their own twisting trails, following their targets into the mountains and valleys below.

The missiles flew wide, colliding with the jagged mountainsides in fiery explosions, but neither pilot flinched.

Kai’s eyes darted between the screens, his attention switching from Ivan’s display to Ray’s. Both fighters now flew low, hugging the mountainous terrain, using the environment to mask their signatures. They emerged from cover only briefly, just enough to try and get a lock on their opponent before disappearing back into the valleys and ravines.

Commander Grayson watched with a smile, his eyes narrowing slightly. Ray might just be the pilot he was looking for. His control of the craft, the precision of his movements—it all screamed military experience. But was it enough to defeat Ivan? That remained to be seen.

Ivan acquired a brief sighting of Ray on his radar, his smirk widening as he turned his fighter in Ray’s direction. “Got you,” he muttered, adjusting his trajectory.

Kai quickly switched his focus to Ray’s screen. Unlike Ivan, Ray wasn’t relying on his radar. His attention seemed entirely fixed on flying, navigating the rugged terrain with precision. His expression was intense, focused. Kai frowned, wondering if Ray was truly up to the challenge or if he was about to get caught off guard.

Ivan’s confidence grew as his radar picked up Ray’s signature again. He was closing in, just a few turns away from getting behind Ray’s tail. Ivan’s grin widened, his fingers tightening on the controls.

Kai leaned forward, his heart racing as the gap between the two fighters shrank.

Ivan made the next turn, his trigger finger gently pressed on the fire button.

“You’re mine now,” he said, banking his fighter hard around the tight corner.

But Ray was nowhere in sight. Ivan glanced down at his radar signal—it wasn’t there. Ray’s fighter had completely vanished. Then, just at the edge of his vision, something caught his eye. He looked up, and his heart sank. It was the front of Ray’s fighter, looming above him like a predator staring down its prey.

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Commander Grayson grinned. Ray’s skill had already surpassed every other candidates today. He decided at that moment to hire him, but the fight was too tense, too good to end now. He wanted to see how it would unfold.

Ray fired. The twin Gatling guns at the front of his ship roared, spitting bright flashes of yellow flame.

Kai watched Ray closely. Sitting in his simulation seat, Ray wasn’t smiling. His face was twisted in pain, a pink spot forming on his bandage as crimson-red blood mixed with salty sweat.

Ivan couldn’t comprehend how he had survived. Ray had tricked him in a textbook bait and switch, building speed before cutting the engine and climbing straight up to disappear from sight, then looping back using the remaining energy to get a shot on the opponent. But somehow, Ray had fumbled the shot at the last second. Bullets grazed Ivan’s wingtip, causing only minor cosmetic damage. The near miss rattled the tip of his wing, and also his confidence. He was no easy target however.

Ivan rolled to the side, dodging another barrage. Ray had missed his chance, and now it was Ivan’s time to turn the tables. He gunned the throttle, engaging the afterburner and pulling his nose upward, flying toward the sky.

Ray didn’t waste a moment grieving his missed shot. He restarted his engine and pushed the throttle to maximum.

Both fighters shot skyward, pulling high Gs even with the assistance of advanced pilot systems. Ray could feel the darkness creeping at the edges of his vision, a familiar sensation he hadn’t experienced in decades of peace. Adrenaline surged through his body, dulling the pain in his hand.

The fighters were now too close for missiles. The battle had become a pure gunfight, each pilot trying to outmaneuver the other in a two-circle dogfight.

Kai unintentionally held his breath, captivated by the duel. This was something he didn’t get to see every day—two expert pilots locked in an intense battle. The fighters spiraled upward, gradually losing speed as they evaded and pursued, each trying to get their guns on target while avoiding the other’s aim. It was like watching a deadly dance, the goal not harmony but destruction.

Commander Grayson watched with a knowing eye. Both Ivan and Ray were skilled, experienced professionals. And professionals didn’t just fight with their aircraft—they fought with their heads. Every movement was calculated, every decision a gamble in the delicate balance of speed, altitude, and energy.

As Grayson analyzed the fight for a third person view, he knew who would win this dance. His gaze shifted to Ray. The blood on Ray’s bandage was spreading, soaking the bandage in red, but his grin remained. The man who had entered the room looking defeated now radiated confidence, wisdom, and total control.

Grayson’s expression faltered as a sense of deja vu washed over him. The grin, the control, the way Ray flew—it all felt familiar.

The hum of the simulation room faded away, and time slowed. Grayson was no longer the commander of the Black Swan. He was Private Grayson again, a young, scared soldier aboard a dropship under heavy fire. The whine of anti-aircraft rounds filled the air, and fear clouded his mind. He had been ready to die.

But then he had seen the pilot. The man, mostly obscured by the bulky seat, had worn a calm, reassuring grin. It had soothed Grayson’s panic, giving him a strange sense of safety.

That grin had stayed with him ever since. Grayson had spent weeks trying to learn the pilot’s identity, but no one seemed to know. All he had managed to learn was the pilot's call sign.

Grayson murmured the words under his breath: “Dust Devil.”

Kai looked at him, puzzled. “I’m sorry, sir. What did you say?”

Grayson didn’t look away from Ray, his voice steady but tinged with awe. “Kai... how did you manage to find the Dust Devil?”

Ray’s ship vanished from Ivan’s view. He exhaled sharply and let go of the controls, his hands falling to his sides in surrender. He knew he had been beaten—not just by a clever ambush but also in a head-to-head dogfight where skill and precision were all that mattered. Ray wasn’t just good; he was exceptional. Even Ivan, who prided himself on being the best, knew he could learn a lot from a pilot like Ray.

The violent shaking of his seat snapped him out of his thoughts.

“Simulation complete. You lose.” The words flashed across his screen.

Ivan chuckled to himself. This was a first for him. He was used to being the one handing out defeats, not receiving them. But strangely, he didn’t feel humiliated. The experience was exhilarating, far more satisfying than any victory he had earned that day. Ray had humbled him and reminded him that there was always room to grow.

Ivan removed his goggles and stood, a smile plastered on his face. Across from him, Ray was doing the same. The two pilots stepped off their seats, meeting in the middle of the room. They extended their hands in a firm handshake, smiles of mutual respect lighting their faces.

“You are the Dust Devil,” Commander Grayson said, stepping forward to join them.

Ray raised an eyebrow, a grin forming on his face. “I haven’t been called that in a very long time,” he said. “How’d you know that call sign?”

Commander Grayson’s expression softened, a rare glimpse of nostalgia crossing his features. “I was just a private back then, and you were the pilot of the dropship that pulled us out of the ambush. I’ll never forget that calmness of yours in the cockpit. It gave us hope when we had none.”

Kai watched the exchange, intrigued. For once, Commander Grayson didn’t seem like the biggest presence in the room. There was something in the way he looked at Ray—a mixture of respect and gratitude.

Ray’s grin widened, but his tone grew apologetic. “I’m sorry, Commander. I don’t remember you. I’ve flown a lot of people in and out of bad situations over the years.”

Grayson shook his head, waving off the apology. “I wouldn’t expect you to remember, it was probably just another day for you.”

Kai smiled as he watched the scene unfold. He could see it clearly now—the mutual respect between two veterans.

Commander Grayson shifted his gaze from Ray to Lily, his curiosity piqued. He still had much to discuss with Ray, but he realized he hadn’t yet gotten to know Lily.

“Lily,” he said, his tone neutral but inquisitive, “are you here for the pilot position too?”

Lily hesitated, lowering her head slightly as doubt crept into her mind. Would the commander see her as valuable enough to join the ship?

Eliana stepped forward, standing close to Lily. “Lily knows something better than flying and fighting,” Eliana said confidently, her voice carrying conviction. “Her skill is something far more valuable. At least, in my eyes.”

Lily glanced at Eliana, her expression softening with gratitude. Then, with a small smile, she turned back to Commander Grayson. “If the ship has a galley, I can show you exactly what Eliana means.”

Fifteen minutes later, Lily had become the single most likable person on the Black Swan. The galley was filled with the sound of laughter and the smell of her cooking. Everyone was savoring something she had whipped up in record time.

Commander Grayson devoured the burger Lily had made for him in quick, satisfied bites, his beard glistening with juice.

“This is the most delicious thing I’ve ever put in my mouth,” Robert declared. “I’m Robert, by the way. Ship’s gunner and firearm expert. Also, I’m single, in case you were wondering.”

“I’m glad you like it, Robert,” Lily said, chuckling.

“Don’t mind him,” Teresa interjected, rolling her eyes. “I’m Teresa, the ship’s engineer. It’s nice to finally get another girl on the team.”

Lily smiled warmly at Teresa. “Well, I’m not sure if I’m officially on the team yet. My skills are insignificant compared to what you all can do.”

“Don’t underestimate yourself, Lily,” Commander Grayson said, his voice warm. “Morale is the backbone of a well-running team.”

“That’s not all Lily can do, though,” Kai chimed in. “She ran a bar all on her own. Besides her amazing cooking skills, her inventory management skills are top-notch. I’m sure they’ll come in handy when we’re out of occupied space.”

Lily and Ray exchanged glances. Sensing their confusion, Commander Grayson explained, “Our mission is to find a planet called Earth, and stop the war between the Federation and the Empire.”

Baiyan, who had been quietly observing, finally spoke. “Lily, Ray. I’m Baiyan, from a faction unknown to the rest of humanity. We call ourselves the True Kin, descendants of Earth. For centuries, we’ve lived in isolation to the point where the original purpose of the masquerade has been forgotten. Our faction is now divided. Some wish to reunite with humanity, while others fear the possibility of discrimination and conflict. We believe Earth holds the answers to why we became what we are—and what forced us to abandon our home in the first place.”

Kevin entered the galley, overhearing the conversation. “Lily, Ray. I’m Kevin, head of Draco Mining. Although I’m not part of the expedition, I want to thank you for joining this mission. There’s a legend passed down in my family, and Kai has confirmed it to be true. Humanity faces a threat that we’ve somehow forgotten. Something is causing the stars to dim, destroying entire star systems. We need to warn everyone, show them the truth, but humanity won’t survive if this thing catches us in the middle of a war.”

Commander Grayson wiped his hands clean and turned to Lily and Ray, his expression serious. “This mission will be dangerous, and once we enter the no man’s land, there’s no turning back. Please think carefully about whether this is something you’re truly willing to do. There’s no shame in backing out, and no one will judge you.”

For a moment, the room was silent. All eyes were on Ray and Lily. Then they both turned to the commander.

“I’m in,” Ray said first. “This is exactly what I need—a fresh start and a place where my skills can make a difference.”

“Me too,” Lily said, her voice steady. “I’ve always wanted to accomplish more than just running a bar. Now I’ll be able to help far more people.”

“Then it’s decided,” Commander Grayson said with a nod. “Lily, Ray—welcome aboard the Black Swan.”