I N V A S I O N

T R I G G E R

T R I G G E R

It was a wonderful day. The sun was sinking into the horizon, and swirls of scarlet and yellow streaked the heavens, mixing and transforming the canvas of the sky. Pink clouds splayed outwards from the dimming core of the setting sun, and shifted into bold tones of violet and indigo as they moved farther away from the light. Hints of stars creased the edges of the vista, giving an early warning of oncoming night. Jayd and Mai were lying on their blanket, watching the placid display. They fit into each other, two puzzle pieces reuniting at last. Her olive eyes sparked and glinted in the light. Jayd and Mai can barely remember a time they weren't together. They both knew that the time they had left to enjoy each other was limited, though. Jayd had signed up for the Flight, an intensive job out in space. He would be part of the first group travelling to Earth, a planet the Space committee discovered recently. They continued snuggling, unaware this was the night everything would change.

Mai spotted a dozen or so dots moving speedily across the horizon.

"What's that?" she asked, pointing out the flecks.

"I don't know. Maybe new Ships?" he answered.

"I don't like it. It's unannounced."

"Mai, the whole population of Siln doesn't need to announce everything flying over our topaz skies. Even if we have a flight ban, it could be something important. It's nothing."

But Jayd didn't know he was wrong. And, unbeknownst to him, he was very wrong indeed. The Mos, a people from another planet just a few solar systems across from them, were unhappy. Their planet was dying. They needed new land, and soon. The already resented Siln, because it was self-sustainable, wealthy and uncorrupted. So, when leaders heard news of their home dying, they immediately thought to attack their newly formed bitter rival: Siln. The rebellion had begun.

It was only minutes after the Mos landed that Jayd and Mai saw the explosion. From up on their secluded hill, it was only a small sunburst. But it was big enough to catch both their attentions. Little specks of black sped out from the impact range, and soon a chorus of blood-curdling screams of the attacked rose to meet them. Night had finally fallen, and in the twilight only fires and bright bursts of light could be seen. Mai looked at Jayd, almost to say I told you so, then got up and sprinted to the opposite side of the hill.

"They won't see us as quickly on this side," explained Mai.

"Mai, what are you talking about?" asked Jayd.

"We're being invaded. I don't know how, why or who. But you need to escape." She looked back, and saw the black swarm getting nearer to the hill. Mai cursed.

"They must know. Jayd, when they come, I want you to take my chain necklace and run away as far as you can," she said as she unclasped the chain and dropped it into his hand. "Find me wherever they take me. Promise me that. I love you." She quickly kissed him on the cheek and vaulted into the air, landing near the bottom of the infested side of the hill. Jayd watched her fight into the swarm. She must know they outnumber her. She gave herself up. Jayd remembered her instructions, and ran away into the dark plain.