The loading deck’s door opened up to a flash of white. A noon summer sky, tarmac, and the nearby spaceport came into view as the crew’s eyes adjusted. The Celestion-5 had made its landing, and for the second time ever, Mia stepped on Earth.

Warmth touched her skin, a sensation she was unused to outside of the shower. Soft, thick air entered her lungs, and even though the scent of rocket fuel lingered, it somehow felt so much fresher than anything under the Lunarian Dome. Wind swept her hair to the side, nature’s cooling fan. She saw clouds in the sky–real ones–in shapes she’d never seen before, and there wasn’t an OrbiSoft error screen to be seen.

A black shape soared across the sky. A bird! Mia had only seen those on TV! Her eyes tracked it as it flapped its way into the horizon. It ventured into forever, and she felt she could stare at it for just as long.

Image: Mia's hair blowing in the wind as she stares at a bird in the sky. [https://f2.toyhou.se/file/f2-toyhou-se/images/45557835_c0DyEYGAwj5qjef.png]

“Are you enjoying the scenery?”

“Huh? Wha??”

“Ah, I asked--” Leon began to repeat.

Mia finally recovered. “Oh, yeah.”

“Wait! I just realized! This is all probably new to you, isn’t it? It must be so exciting!” His cloying eyes looked up at her.

But they weren’t the only ones.

“Miaaaa!” Roxie ran over to her with a tube of something in hand. “You are very pale and have literally never seen the sun. It’s first priority that your skin is protected!”

Mia let Roxie squirt sunscreen into her hands, not bringing up the fact that the sun still could be seen from the Moon, because it was nothing like this. This time, Mia could feel it. Was this just normal to everyone else?

“Everyone’s going to be watching your reactions! Just like when I first went to space.” Leon smiled as if that was in any way comforting. Maybe to him.

“You! Next!” Roxie thrust the bottle in his hands.

“Yeah, you’re the star today, Mia!” Emil stretched while Roxie targeted Jun and Aiden next. “There’s really no place like Earth, so watching you experience it all should be fun for everyone.” He turned to his brother. “Can’t we just stay here until the new guy shows up? It’ll only be a week or so, and we got nothin’ else to do.”

“That would disrupt the spaceport.” responded Captain Galhardo, walking ahead of the rest. “We’re just here to pick up a fuel shipment from the nearby base.”

“Captains, please accept my humble offering of sunblock! Your skin will thank you!” Roxie ran to the front of the group.

“Don’t mind if I do~” Emil walked backward, reaching a hand out.

“...Thank you, Ranger Allen.” The captain didn’t seem sure how to respond to her but appreciated it.

Roxie distributed sunscreen to herself last while they all ventured forward. Mia took her time walking, but it still felt too soon when they had to leave behind the wonders of nature to enter the spaceport’s jet bridge. Inside the terminal gate, she saw the crowds of people, noise, and chaos that they would eventually have to work their way through. How annoying. At least she still got to look out of the windows.

“I’m so happy to be back here!” The spaceport might’ve been exciting to Leon, but for Mia, it was nothing she couldn’t see on the Moon. “It’s soooo cool. Literally, too! I was feeling kinda hot out there.” He fanned himself.

“And now you’ll get to enjoy it more insteada havin’ to rush.” Emil winked at him.

“Haha, yeah…”

“But I bet you’re not too excited to be here.” He spun toward Mia, reading her mind. “Don’t worry, we won’t be here long, I promise.”

“I dunno if I can promise that.” Jun stood off to the side, fiddling with their bangs. “Do I look less recognizable?”

“Still look like a goofball to me.” Aiden crossed his arms.

“But do I look like a recognizable one? Rox, help me out.”

“Hmmm~” Roxie stood on her tiptoes to survey Jun’s face. “You youness shines through to me, even through messy hair.”

“We could get you some sunglasses from a gift shop if you need ‘em.” Emil offered, very obviously without his brother’s approval.

“Nah, that’s okay.” Jun declined. “I’m prolly just being paranoid. Not that many people’ll recognize me.” As they said this, they made eye contact with a starstruck gate agent. “’Sup?”

He shyly waved. “So you’re…?”

“Yeah.”

“Can I get your autograph?”

Travelling with Jun made the group a target of stares and whispers. It bothered Mia quite a bit, so she couldn’t imagine how annoying it must’ve been being at the center of it. A few people asked for autographs and pictures, but Jun got out of it by saying they were on business.

Some shouted compliments. “I love you, Jun!!”

“Thanks for making the IF a bigger joke!” Some didn’t. Jun kept a calm head no matter what.

“Wow, some people love embarrassing themselves in public.” While he spoke lightheartedly, Mia could tell Emil was upset on Jun’s behalf.

“That’s incredibly tame.” Jun brushed it off.

“Yeah.” Aiden agreed. “Surprised he didn’t claim you were a spy for–what country was it again?”

“Throw a dart at the map and you’ll get there.” They chuckled.

Emil bumped the captain’s arm. “That sounds familiar, doesn’t it?”

Captain Galhardo glanced back at Jun a few times. “If you would like to purchase sunglasses–”

“It’s fine, sir.”

“Is this what happens everywhere you go?” asked Leon.

“I think it’s died down, but some places are always gonna be worse than others.” Jun explained. “That’s like the reason I stayed in the IF. More people are used to me. Sorta. To be honest, part of why I came on this mission is to get away from people.”

“Same.” Getting away from the chaos of home was a big reason Mia signed on, the possibility of travelling to Earth being the other. It paid well too. She didn’t know if she’d make it back from Neptune in one piece, but those things were worth it.

With so many onlookers, Mia kept her eyes on the floor. The reflection allowed her to still take a look around. People passed by in clothes of cotton and denim instead of plastic and nylon. They didn’t know how lucky they were to have easy access to such comfortable fabric. Mia gazed at her own uniform. The blue cotton shirt that came with it was among the first she’d ever owned.

They stopped along the way so the captain could talk to spaceport staff about scheduling details before stopping at the rental car checkout counter. Mia waited with the others as the captains talked with the man behind it only for Emil to come back with his eyes on the ground.

He scratched behind his head. “Soooo it turns out you gotta be 21 to rent a car! This is really embarrassing, but,” he looked at Roxie, Aiden, and Jun, “would any of you be willing to rent some trucks for us?”

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“Do you think they would let me rent a car?” Aiden pointed at himself. “With my history?”

Jun tapped his arm. “Yeah, your history of not having a license would set you back, brah.”

“Could you do it, Jun?” Emil pouted. “Please? We’ll pay you back!”

“I…” Jun hesitated. “S-Sure thing, y–”

“I’ll do it!” Roxie shot her ID in the air. “Worry not your pretty little heads! I will come to your aid with my seniority!”

Emil laughed. “Thanks, Roxie.”

The two returned to the desk where Roxie stood between the captains, handling business as if she were their legal guardian.

“They can’t rent a car, but they can fly us to Neptune?” Aiden chuckled.

“Hahaaa, it’s way interesting, for sure!” Jun forced out a laugh.

Eventually the group came to a parking garage. It smelled awful, as if Mia had stuck her face into the exhaust pipe of a bus. She covered her nose and mouth.

“I heard there’s not a lot of cars in Lunaria.” Leon looked up at her. “Is that true?”

She nodded through stinging eyes, then choked out, “It’s mostly buses.”

“The only people who have cars are cops and rich people, and rich people can only rent.” Emil added. He turned to Mia. “So I guess you’ll be riding in luxury today!”

She would ride in a tin can to get out of this place.

Jun took notice. “Hey Mia, are you doing okay?”

She nodded out of habit.

“Yeah, we should get you to a car soon. C’mon, everybody.” Emil waved them along.

Captain Galhardo led the group down a corridor filled with cars, trucks, and motorcycles. It did make Mia feel like she intruded on some secret storage room for the wealthy, though the vehicles were a lot more personalized than any she’d seen in Lunaria. Mostly stick figure families, bumper stickers with opinions nobody asked for, and a cartoon character farting on things. Interesting tastes.

Someone tapped her on the shoulder. Roxie. She offered more sunscreen.

“Roxie, I think I’m pretty protected from the Sun here.”

She shook her head. “Put some in your hand to ward off the foul fumes.”

Mia offered one hand, in which Roxie squeezed a pea-sized drop of sunscreen. Maybe it was something about the tiny size, or maybe the fumes got to her, but it made her laugh. The fumes definitely got to her. She put it on her hand and covered her nose with it. Now Mia smelled sunscreen and exhaust fumes, but somehow that made it a little more tolerable.

“Thanks, Roxie.”

The group finally came to two pickup trucks. Mia couldn’t wait to get inside of one and out of this garage. Sunscreen could only hold her over for so long.

Emil leaned on one truck, facing the captain. “So I guess here’s where we split up. Who are you takin’ with you?”

“Ranger Kim…” Captain Galhardo took a look at his other options, “and Ranger Wattson.”

“Only two, huh?” Emil snickered.

“There’s an odd number of us. It’s to be expected.” The captain gave him a set of keys. “Besides, I figured you would enjoy the company.”

“Can’t deny that.” His brother twirled them. “But I am a little sad I’ll get to miss out on Mia’s first car ride.”

“Me toooo!” Roxie whined. Leon also looked a little dejected.

“I’m sure it’s not going to be all that exciting.” Mia tried to reassure her. To be honest, she was hoping she’d get to ride with Roxie, but it’d be a little silly to complain.

“Hey Mia, you mind getting recorded?” asked Jun.

“Wh-what??”

“You don’t have to go along with it if you’re, like, not comfortable. I was just thinking it’d be a way the others could see your reaction.”

“Oh, um, I don’t know…”

“That is fine!” Roxie threw her arms into the air. “There are many non-car things we can show you when we get to the base!”

Mia looked forward to that.

“But I’ll still miss youuuu!” She crushed Mia with a hug. The freckled ranger still hadn’t gotten used to that kind of thing, but it felt nice to hug her back. Roxie then did the same to Jun. “And you too Junzie!”

Jun ruffled her hair. “You too, Rox.”

“I will also miss you, Captain, but Emil told me you’re not fond of physical contact, so please accept my air hug!” She hugged the air.

The captain glanced at his brother, his face blank but his eyes asking for help. Finally, he gave a nod to Roxie.

Jun gave a fist bump to the rest of the lieutenant’s group. “See you on the other side.”

“C’mon, let’s get going.” Emil headed to the driver’s door. “Mia’s probably about to pass out.” He wasn’t wrong. Mia silently thanked him.

“Have a nice trip, Mia!” Leon waved, and she returned it. He went to get in the truck with the others. “I call shotgun!”

Just as the words left his mouth, Aiden shut the passenger door behind him.

“...Or not.”

The captain entered the driver’s seat of the other truck while Mia got into the one behind it. A strange new smell entered her nose, but anything beat the garage. Jun took passenger’s side.

Captain Galhardo took his clip phone off of his wrist, expanded it to GPS size, then stuck it to the windshield. He eyed Jun warily. “Ranger Kim, are you certain you want to sit in the passenger’s seat? You are free to crouch in the back seat if you prefer.”

“U-Uhhhh.” Jun made startled eye contact with Mia. “Crouch down, like in the leg area?”

Image: Jun and Mia staring surprised at each other as the captain says something. He also installs a GPS into the truck. [https://f2.toyhou.se/file/f2-toyhou-se/images/45568140_ZweKTjnvDqiFXsj.png]

“For safety.” How was he able to say it so casually? “You are a controversial public figure. I understand you could be at risk for… certain threats.” His eyes bore into Mia. Was she the threat?

“Psst. Mia. Seatbelt.”

“Oh, right!” Mia hadn’t had to use one before. She fumbled around with it a little more than she thought a normal person should, but eventually got it to click.

“I’m fine right here.” Jun answered the captain’s question. “I don’t think my back would forgive me if I crouched the whole way, haha.”

“Understood.” Captain Galhardo started the car.

He drove the truck out of the parking garage and into a city, with Emil’s following behind. The city itself looked much like Lunaria, in theory. Buildings here were a lot less colorful, more greenery decorated the surroundings, and obviously, more cars clogged up the streets. Birds glided in the sky, while some perched on wires and buildings. They were like free range pets of the public. Mia couldn’t believe her eyes.

“Sorry for what happened at the spaceport.” Jun apologized. “I hope it didn’t, like, freak you guys out too bad.”

“It wasn’t your fault.” Mia spotted a bird eating french fries off the sidewalk. A pigeon, was it? They were so round up close.

“It can’t be helped in your situation.” responded the captain. “Just make sure to keep an eye out. You never know what dangers may be around the corner.”

“...Yeah.” Jun bobbed their head. Something seemed to click for them. Maybe. Mia was too busy watching an airplane to fully pay attention. “Hey, Emil said that something about what happened was familiar.”

“Our father was accused of being a spy for the Venezuelan government.” That caught her attention. “Among other South American governments.”

“Ohhh yeah, I’ve been accused of spying for everywhere from Thailand to Taiwan. Not from anybody reputable, but y’know.” They shrugged.

“Much of what happened today reminded me of stories our father told us.” The captain kept his eyes ahead.

“He must’ve had a rough time.”

He nodded slightly.

“Has anything... bad happened to you guys because of him?”

“The threat is always there.” His eyes shifted. “You can’t see who has the knife at your back.” For a brief moment, his eyes met with Mia’s. She didn’t have a knife. “When we were toddlers, he received a letter. It involved the family. Nothing came of it. Yet.”

Mia started to get an idea why he hides from the others for days on end.

“Dang, that’s terrible… It’s been like years, but I’m still kinda reeling from my dad’s auto shop getting vandalized.” Jun leaned their head back. “When you get famous from a scandal, especially when something happens like that, it’s really hard to imagine being able to fit into the world the way you used to. You’re worried you’re a danger to everyone close to you. I can’t imagine having kids in the picture, though.” They shuddered.

Captain Galhardo opened his mouth to say something, but didn’t.

“It’s hard enough to trust people under normal circumstances.” Mia spoke. “If any of that happened to me, I’d never want to leave my house again.”

“Oh!” Jun remembered she existed. “Wow, uh, didn’t mean to make your first car ride such a bummer.”

“It’s alright.”

“So, Captain,” they changed the subject, “how far away is this base?”

“It’s a 30-minute drive.”

“Cool, cool.”

Mia’s eyes returned to the window. They were outside of city limits by now. Mia could only think of a few trees she’d seen in Lunaria and never as tall as the ones here. They lined each side of the road, blurring into walls of green if she didn’t focus hard enough.

…Blur?

“Um, h-how fast are we going?”

“The speed limit is 75 mph.” answered the captain.

Mia’s eyes widened. That was way too fast for a hunk of metal this big! With Earth physics? How were people still alive on this planet?

“You’re probably thinking this is way too fast.” Jun laughed. “You can relax. This is a safe speed. Mostly.”

“If it comforts you, Ranger Wattson, I’m going 74 mph.”

That didn’t comfort Mia too much, but she couldn’t stop them from dying either way, so she focused her thoughts elsewhere. The trees. Various shapes, sizes, and shades of green decorated the roadside. She’d read many books describing trees taller than buildings, densely packed into forests. Even with what she saw on TV, she could never fully imagine them for herself. Yet here they were, right in front of her.

Jun smiled at her from the rearview mirror. “Enjoying the road?”

Mia nodded. Ahead, the road itself stretched on forever, and the trees followed. Or so it seemed. Those things had to stop at some point, right? “Where does it all end?”

“Depends on what you’re talking about.” They shrugged. “This highway could stretch across the whole state. Some travel the whole country. And the trees? Who knows? And if you’re talking about where it’s free to, like, exist?” They turned back to her. “The Earth is round. It never ends.”