The hum of machinery filled the cavernous underground site as Ryan stood amidst the newly revived construction efforts. The chaos above ground had destroyed nearly everything, but the Monarchs had wasted no time in ordering the continuation of bunker expansions below the surface. What remained of Earth's population now lived in this underworld of concrete and steel, while the stormy wasteland above became a distant memory for many.

Ryan had fallen into a routine, working alongside other survivors, carrying out the necessary tasks to keep the bunker project moving. The harsh reality of what had become of Earth weighed on everyone. Above ground, there was little left. The access points to the surface were small, heavily fortified doors, barely noticeable now that the land surrounding them was a barren wasteland.

For the first few weeks, life was monotonous. Ryan spent most days working with the other technicians and laborers, assisting with the massive infrastructure efforts to secure the lower levels of the bunkers. They couldn’t afford any mistakes—these underground sanctuaries had to withstand the continued environmental shifts and possible future chaos.

The long hours of manual work helped distract Ryan from the endless uncertainty about the future, but the nagging questions in his mind never disappeared. What had really saved him from the first storm? And why, despite all of his efforts, had he been unable to find any trace of his girlfriend? The city’s survivor lists were small, and his hope of ever seeing her again had all but vanished.

In the brief moments of rest, Ryan would sit down with the others, trying to maintain some sense of normalcy in the chaos. They shared meals, told stories, and sometimes debated what the Monarchs were planning. The presence of the monarchy was everywhere, with their elite officers constantly overseeing operations. Yet, there was always something unspoken about the way they moved, as though they knew more than they were letting on.

It was during one such conversation, over a shared meal with a group of workers, that Ryan first heard the rumors.

"You hear about the Monarchs?" one of the men muttered under his breath, leaning in as if sharing a secret. His name was Luka, a man who had lost everything to the storm but somehow retained a sense of optimism. "They're recruiting for something. Heard they're sending people off-world."

Ryan glanced at him, skeptical but intrigued. "Off-world? Where?"

Luka shrugged, his eyes flicking toward the entrance to the underground transport bay. "I don’t know, but I hear they’re taking people to the moons. Something’s happening up there, and the Monarchs don’t want us to know about it."

Ryan had his suspicions for weeks, ever since the storm, that the Monarchs had been preparing something bigger. Their control over the world had always been secure, but now, with Earth on the brink, they would be looking for ways to preserve their power—and their people. Could the moons, the distant satellites of their solar system, be the key?

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A few days later, the news became official. The Monarchs were recruiting workers, technicians, and specialists for an assignment off-planet, though no one was saying what the exact nature of the job would be. Flyers and messages spread throughout the underground bunkers, calling for volunteers to travel to the moon colonies. It was framed as an opportunity, a chance for skilled workers to be part of something bigger, but the details were vague.

Ryan didn’t need much convincing. If the Monarchs were sending people to the moons, it had to be significant. Staying underground while Earth fell apart was not an option for him. He had no family left, no girlfriend to search for, and no ties that could hold him back anymore. The idea of being involved in whatever secret plan the Monarchs were plotting intrigued him.

So, without hesitation, Ryan volunteered. The application process was swift. Within a few days, he was informed that he had been selected. No specifics were given, only instructions to report to one of the underground transport hubs where he would be briefed and prepared for travel.

The day of departure arrived sooner than Ryan had expected. The atmosphere in the underground base was tense, but there was an undercurrent of excitement among the chosen volunteers. They were led through a heavily guarded tunnel, away from the main construction sites and into a secure bay where a sleek, black spacecraft waited. This was the Monarchs’ underground space shuttle, capable of bypassing the now-hostile environment above ground and transporting them safely to one of the moons.

The spacecraft was impressive, a testament to the technological advancements Earth had made as a Type 1 civilization. Its smooth, aerodynamic design glinted under the artificial lights of the bay, and a group of Monarch personnel stood at attention, ushering the volunteers aboard.

Ryan took his seat among the other workers, each person given minimal information about their destination. The shuttle’s engines rumbled to life, and within minutes, they were launching upwards through the Earth’s crust. There was no view of the outside, no windows to see the destruction above ground, but Ryan knew that once they breached the atmosphere, it wouldn’t matter.

He thought back to the conversations with his fellow workers—what were the Monarchs really planning on the moons? And why were they keeping it so secret?

The shuttle broke through the atmosphere, entering the vast, starry expanse of space. The sensation was both exhilarating and surreal. Ryan felt the shift in gravity as the shuttle adjusted its trajectory, setting course for its destination: the moon of Nixion. It was one of the larger moons orbiting Earth’s sister planet, a cold and barren world that had been colonized by the Monarchs decades ago.

As they approached Nixion, Ryan could see the massive colony sprawling across the moon’s surface. It was a sight unlike anything he had imagined—an entire city, encased in protective domes, built to withstand the harsh conditions of space. He had heard about the moon colonies before, but seeing it with his own eyes was something else entirely. The Monarchs had truly mastered their craft in building these self-sustaining habitats.

The shuttle docked smoothly, and as Ryan disembarked with the others, they were met by a group of Monarch officials. Their faces were stern, and there was no time for pleasantries.

"Welcome to Nixion," one of the officials said, her voice calm but authoritative. "You’ve been selected for a crucial project. Your work here will determine the future of our civilization. From this moment on, you are part of the Monarch initiative. Follow us."

As Ryan followed the group, his mind raced with possibilities. He had left the chaos of Earth behind, but something told him that whatever awaited on Nixion was just the beginning. The Monarchs were planning something—something monumental—and now, he was part of it.

The path ahead was uncertain, but for the first time in months, Ryan felt a glimmer of hope.