Chap 3: Return Home for the Month

When we left the institute it was already after 6 pm when we boarded the Hyperion Express. As our eyes met the vast panorama offered by the Hyperion Express's crystalline windows, we were captivated by the exquisite display of nature. On our home planet, an elegantly painted canvas of vibrant biodiversity, unfolded before us in all its glory. Verdant forests, glistening rivers, and jagged mountain ranges left us spellbound. The silent, swift grace of the Hyperion Express added an uncanny sense of tranquility to the scenic beauty. The vista was awash with colors, swirling, mixing, and dancing, creating a mesmerizing spectacle.

This journey was not just a visual feast, but a stark reminder of our home planet's rich heritage and our role as its future caretakers. As we gazed, spellbound, we felt the responsibility as much as the beauty, our hearts ever more committed to preserving this magnificent panorama for future generations.

As our eyes feasted on the spectacle, the crew aboard the Hyperion Express began to mingle with us, their presence a reminder of the interspecies camaraderie that bound us all. The crew were deeply rooted in the ground realities of our planet, conversant with every leaf and rock visible from our crystalline windows. They wove stories around the forests and rivers, about the flora and fauna they sheltered, and about their role in maintaining the ecological balance of our planet.

This blend of celestial and terrestrial perspectives was a unique experience. As we absorbed the knowledge they shared, our view of the panorama outside became more enlightened and enriched. The scenery was no more just a spectacle to admire, but a living entity, a part of a larger cosmic design we were all a part of.

As we nestled into the sleeping quarters aboard the train, we bore witness to the swift fall of night on our home planet. The transition was, in a word, extraordinary - a gradual fading of the day's remaining light, soon swallowed by an all-encompassing darkness. Yet, even in the face of such stark change, there was a serene beauty to behold. Amid the profound darkness, the stars stood out, their light piercing the night, an array of twinkling brilliance scattered like diamond dust across the inky black canvas of the universe. These celestial bodies, paired with the vast, enveloping darkness, told silent tales of cosmic wonder, filling every quiet corner of our journey with awe and fascination. Our sense of connection to the cosmos was both humbling and empowering, a reminder of our insignificance yet profound interconnectedness within this boundless, unending adventure. The breathtaking diversity of the universe was displayed right before our eyes, each district a testament to stellar beauty and mystery.

As the dawn of a new day unfolded before us, the quiet hum of the Hyperion Express echoed through the interstellar void of the dark caves, adorned by the soft radiance of the morning's first light. The sight of the unfolding dawn, cast by the celestial dance of the twin suns, was an enchanting spectacle of radiant gold and mysterious shadows. Aboard the train, we anticipated our reunion with our Family Unit with intensifying excitement. Our familiar faces, glowing under the incandescent gleam of the twin suns, were a sight for our weary eyes. The tear-filled reunion was a poignant testament to the enduring strength of family ties, undiminished by the unfathomable distances of the university. As we stepped off the train, we were greeted by the prospect of a new beginning, leading up to our eventual relocation to the Whitehawk Space Colony at the end of the month.

As we approached our family, the differences between us, though we were twins, became more pronounced. As the oldest sister, I was always the most sensitive among us. I stood slightly apart, with my wide eyes transfixed on us in disbelief. As we approached them, a radiant smile spread across my face - a sight as heartwarming as the twin suns that shone above us. Tentatively, I stepped forward, my eyes welling up with tears. The moment I reached them, I flung my arms around them in a tight, almost desperate embrace, burying my face in their shoulders. My reaction was a testament to the depth of my feelings, the years of suppressed worry and separation manifesting in an overflow of raw emotion. It was a tender moment, a poignant reunion under the watchful gaze of our home planet.

Dawnmarie, the youngest of us, was always the most exuberant and carefree, her spirit as bright and lively as the stars that strewn across our night sky. As her eyes met ours, her face lit up like a supernova, and she bounded towards us with the playful energy of a young gazelle. In her youthful innocence, she didn't fully comprehend the magnitude of the reunion, yet the joy she radiated was infectious. She darted at our parents after me, before finally showering us all with her giggles and clumsy, yet endearing embraces. Her reaction, while less restrained and more childlike, bore the unmistakable signature of familial love and happiness. It was a beautiful sight – our little Dawnmarie, a radiant beacon of joy, dancing under the twin suns, her laughter ringing out in the air, an anthem of our long-awaited reunion.

Four years of separation had matured us, reinforcing our individualities. Yet, despite our different reactions, the profound love and respect we had for our parents and Family Unit were unabashedly evident. Our divergent responses were merely different expressions of the same resilient bond, strengthened by years of distance and longing.

After attending RedWolves for the last four years, my twin sister and I will be transferring to the Whitehawk Space Colony which is currently orbiting around the planet Mithraeum. It will be stationed in the Galactica Galaxy for the next month.

"Mother, have you heard the good news? Sunmarie and I have been accepted into the Whitehawk Space Colony and will be receiving our transfer papers at the end of the week from our instructors," explained Dawnmarie of the Lockheart House.

"That's wonderful news my precious daughters. You have made the Lockheart House very proud on this fateful day. You shall continue your education until the day you become a Starz Officer under the Galactica Star Federation Alliance. Just like the rest of the Lockheart House have done as is your sworn duty as members of the Lockheart House. Now then take some time to unwind and relax before you begin packing," said Priscilla of the Lockheart House, our beloved mother.

"The transitioning process should be much easier for the two of us. Since we both belong to the Lockheart House thankfully, it puts me at ease knowing that the Lockheart House holds a great deal of influence over the Space Colony," said Dawnmarie of the Lockheart House.

The Lockheart House is one of the three ruling Houses that governs the Whitehawk Space Colony. Along with two other Houses consisting of the Whitehawk House, and the Darkhawk House.

When attending the Whitehawk Space Colony my sister and I will be expected to uphold the traditions of our ancestors. While onboard we must also uphold the values and expectations of the Lockheart House.

Every moment was poignant, every experience steeped in nostalgia as they prepared to carry the Lockheart House legacy into the vast expanse of the galaxy. Their days were a swirling mix of apprehension and excitement, with the twins devoting their mornings to rigorous Starz Officer drills. Their movements, synchronized like an intricate dance, contrasted sharply against the backdrop of Mithraeum's setting sun. The garden, once a simple leisure spot, had been transformed into a makeshift training ground. The scent of blooming Zephyr lilies added a touch of surreal beauty to their intense exercises.

The afternoons brought a change of pace – a time for reflection and meditation. Their favorite spot was the Lockheart's private observatory, a domed structure perched atop their ancestral home. Here, they spent countless hours gazing upon the stars, charting their course to the Whitehawk Space Colony. The vastness of the cosmos brought a sense of perspective and humility, reminding them of the monumental journey they were about to embark upon.

As evening fell, the sisters often found solace in the bustling markets of the Lockheart District. They immersed themselves in the vibrant colors and exotic scents, absorbing the essence of their home planet one last time. The interstellar spices and alien fruits, once familiar and commonplace, now seemed precious and fleeting. They visited the ancient ruins of their ancestors, tracing the etched symbols with reverent fingers, recounting tales of valor and wisdom passed down through the ages. In these moments, they could feel the weight of their lineage and the strength it imparted to them, giving them the courage and hope they needed to face their destiny.

As their departure approached, another side of Dawnmarie emerged, one often overshadowed by her usual cute and charming personality. Among their many pre-departure commitments, Dawnmarie found time to flirt with the local mechanic, a broad-shouldered hunk with a winning smile and twinkling eyes that matched the color of the nearest nebula. Their playful banter was a welcome relief from the usual work routine, and the mechanic was all too happy to indulge Dawnmarie's cheeky charm.

In the evenings, the twins took to stargazing with an unusual companion - a small, roly-poly alien creature they had rescued from the local pet shop. They named him Squibbles, and despite his unintelligible chitters, he was a comforting presence. Dawnmarie, showing her softer side, often cooed and cajoled Squibbles with gentle caresses, and it was not uncommon for her to drift off to sleep with the creature nestled in her lap, purring contentedly. These quiet moments, tinged with the mixed emotions of leaving, embodied the unity and tenderness that was crucial to the sisters' bond, serving as a reminder of their shared strength as they prepared for their monumental journey into the cosmos.

The days passed swiftly as the twins prepared for their departure, embracing with equal parts trepidation and delight all that was to come. Finally, launch day arrived – a time of jubilation and sorrow. The Lockhearts prepared to say their goodbyes.