"You know you don’t have to serve the army, right?" Joel asked, sitting in the cockpit.

  "Not just because of what happened to your father..." He hesitated for a second. "But because—"

  "Because I'm a girl." Hanister said, sitting across from the recruiter. After they boarded the 'Grey Sparrow,' they went straight ahead for the S.D.A's base in the suburbs of Rodenzel.

  Grey Sparrow was a light-duty the S.D.A used for troop transport. After the hatch had been closed, the buzzing noise decreased drastically. Even though it was a bit humid and hot in the cabin, it wasn't like she couldn't endure it.

  "You've never taken one of our aircrafts before, have you?" The recruiter asked, staring at Hanister, trying to brush off his previous inept comment; however, his eyes were actually more focused on the oval-shaped porthole next to her head.

  The girl shook her head.

  "Aren't you curious why I wanted to become a Chaser?" She asked in return, circling back to the topic they were on before.

  "Fine... I'm a little curious." Joel chuckled lightly, admitting to his thoughts.

  "Not a lot of Chasers were voluntary."

  Hanister turned her head slightly, then looked out from the porthole next to her. The morning sky was clear, with some thin clouds plastered across the canvas, embellishing the plain blue. But it seemed like something was missing with this kind of morning. She knew for sure that a morning in Sheer could never be so tranquil. Of course, other than the fact that for the other half of people on this planet it was nighttime.

  Here it comes!

  The girl thought to herself, noticing that there was a small spot of light coming from the skyline.

  "Hanister, would you believe me if I said that the shooting stars are still alive?"

  She remembered the story her father told her when she was still a child; she used to think that it was just a story to fool kids.

  Until she saw them land, until her father was eaten alive by the ginormous creatures that dropped from the sky.

  Those that fell from the sky weren't the rocks and fragments of the stars. They were a kind of living being called the Star Creature. Half a century ago, the Star Creatures descended out of the blue, drastically changing the whole world. They appeared from the sky, like devils that intruded into the mortal world, bringing disasters.

  For a long period of time, the Star Creatures were the nightmare of the Sheerians.

  Hanister continued to stare out the window, at the sky far away. The spot of light became a droplet of paint on the blue canvas, leaving a clear stroke of tail behind.

  Soon after the spot showed up, six smaller, indistinct dots appeared to the upper back of the bigger spot — the Chasers. They are the Shell Wielder of the S.D.A, and the reason behind S.D.A's establishment. They were there to destroy those threats that came from the sky.

  "...May the stars be with those Chasers."

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  Hanister turned back, noticing the recruiter who had gotten closer. He held tightly onto the railings

  "They are the heroes of Sheer." The girl said.

  "Is this why you wanted to join the S.D.A?" Joel sat back down to his seat. "To become a hero?" He asked.

  Hanister didn't answer, but neither did she deny the statement. Unsure of why, she thought that he had only gotten a part of it right.

  "You might die for this." The recruiter opened up again, his tone getting more serious.

  "Didn't you join the S.D.A because you wanted to fight against our common enemy?" The girl retorted. "You've been a Chaser before, correct?"

  "No..." Joel shook his head, his face filled with shame.

  "How come...? Aren't recruiters supposed to be in the logistics department?" Hanister asked, a little aghast. "I thought you transferred from the front line..."

  "I've never fought with those monsters." Joel admitted. "I didn't even volunteer to be here."

  "You were recruited?" Hanister suddenly realized. "But then how did you..."

  "I have some certain 'relationship' with the... management."

  "Your relatives?"

  Joel nodded without saying anything in return.

  "Oh..." Hanister straightened her back and kept them close to the spine of the seat.

  "Alright, I know this might sound a bit... cowardly." Joel scratched his head.

  "Don't worry. I didn't think so." Hanister answered.

  She had seen quite a lot of protest events around the world, and understood that a lot of people couldn't accept the S.D.A's recruitment policy that they've had for years. However, this was a decision made by the leaders of different cities under certain agreements. Since the appearance of the Star Creature had been increasing, if they didn't stand up to defend their own planet, who else would?

  "How long have you been here?" The girl continued to ask.

  "This is the second year." The young recruiter answered. "If I were to follow the original protocols, I would've been sent to the S.D.A's Shell Wielder troop for three years like the others. But I really didn't want to face those things." He said, the corner of his mouth twitched a little.

  "I know that everyone said that the Chasers of S.D.A are the heroes, but I'd rather not be called that."

  "At least I'll still be alive."

  "It's not every time that a Chaser dies in duty, right?" Hanister questioned.

  "The chances are high enough." Joel retorted. "Do you know how many Chasers we lose every year?"

  The girl stared directly at him, but did not say a word.

  "According to the statistics, one-third of the Chasers didn't safely return after their mission." The recruiter revealed. "Some... no, most of them didn't even survive till their enlistment time ended."

  "I know there are certain risks to being a Chaser." Hanister said after she finished digesting. Her reaction seemed a lot less aggressive than what Joel had expected.

  "Hanister." The recruiter was deadpan, he opened up in a serious tone.

  "I'm not sure if you've understood this clearly. The fatalness that we, the rescuing team or law enforcement carry can never compare. A Star Creature can easily crush multiple adults. In the past, they could even completely destroy a whole town." He warned. "You're not like us, because you volunteered to join the Wielders. Once you've become a real Chaser, they won't let you go for at least five years."

  "I know." Hanister thought for a second. "I won't let you guys down."

  She promised, stern as she had made up her mind.

  "... I hope you know what you're doing." Joel said, but his face still showed concern. "Normally, only people who were driven to a corner and financially unstable would volunteer to become a Chaser. I can tell that your life isn't exactly that bad."

  "I'm not in for the money."

  "That's what I thought." Joel sighed. "I'm just tired of seeing people never coming back." He answered, helplessly. "A lot of people who I recruited didn't make it past the first year, I just hope that..."

  "Don't worry, I won't die." Hanister looked straight into the recruiter's eyes, giving him a small smile.

  5 years only?

  She thought to herself.

  "I'll kill the enemies." She said firmly. "I'll kill them all."

  The recruiter's eyes widened. He leaned back, and did not say a word again.