Night

The Test

"Our supply of food and water will last us for 3 months"

"Let's make camp"

The tired faces obeyed Valerian's order. Their excitement had not dulled down even though their energy level is at a minimum. Such a drastic change in conditions was not handled well by everyone. A few people had a high fever but were not giving it much attention. Others felt nauseous and dizzy, yet still unable to give themselves some rest before all the tasks were completed. Sleep is the last thing on everyone's mind right now.

They all got up and began setting up tents, separating Valerians tent from the rest of theirs. Even in the space station his authority was respected even by the captain. When it comes to his own age group, every guy wanted to be his friend, and every girl gushed over him and felt dizzy at the slightest contact. Tall, dark, hot, and smart, he was the image of perfection. He wasn't their leader, but everyone already knew it, Valerian is the person they should listen to.

After setting up the tents they began building a bonfire for the evening. No one knew exactly how to do it right so they followed what they were taught in the space station, they gathered wood, from small sticks to larger ones and piled them on top of each other.

Vingelmina approached her best friend.

Febba was one of the smartest people she knew, her intellect was valued from the moment she was assigned a project on spacecraft engineering, and her work left some professionals with their mouths open. She always outdoes everyone in her work, and never gives a break to her constant ideas. She shone like a star in space, helping engineers in making their job easier, and creating all that she thought might aid the space station. When she wanted something new to try out, earth was a challenge she couldn't resist.

Vingelmina's parents were the commanders of the space station. Being at a high rank meant showing the people that they were willing to sacrifice anything valuable for them. This value was their daughter. To prevent any arguments demanding equality over the working class and the high class, the high class must equally participate in any dangerous events. Sending 50 individuals to a dangerous expedition must include high class individuals too. Vingelmina did not want to ruin her parents reputation and volunteered to be part of this mission for everyone's sake.

She found her working on something Vingelmina didn't understand.

"How are you holding up?"

"Hey I'm thinking of making a radio transmission device to help us contact the space station, otherwise we have to wait what... weeks? It's safe to come down right away now, right?" Febba looked up from the work in front of her and looked at her friend, wiping a bead of sweat from her forehead.

Febba had an olive skin tone, green eyes that always sparkled with excitement, and full pink lips that did not require any lipstick shade. Her dark brown curls were always kept tied back with an elastic. Vingelmina considered her friend the perfect definition of natural beauty.

She smiled at Febba.

"So I see you're okay then,
...Maybe we should wait a while, we haven't explored what's out there yet, what's if it's still dangerous? And speaking of.... They're sending people to check the surrounding area, wanna join?"

"Where there's anything interesting to see count me in...." a moment of silence passed
"Do you know if Aden is going?"

Aden is Febba's longtime crush. She tries hiding the fact but it couldn't be more obvious.

Vingelmina raised an eyebrow. "You're asking because.... you totally don't like him"

"I don't, he's just good with..navigation"