Dor and Kenya have been best friends since they first met in middle school, when Dor had just moved to the planet New Kansas. As they graduated at the top of their high school class, their futures were looking bright. But when their applications to The Pilgrims, the space exploration agency, was denied, they were left scrambling for some way forward. Their other options were limited, and none would keep them together. Or so they thought.

Both of Dor's parents had retired from The Terran Alliance Fleet, the main military and policing force of the known worlds. She always thought that she'd rather be caught dead than signing up. That is, until the recruiter insisted that they could stay together while enlisted. The catch? They'd have to get married. 33rd century or not, that sort of thing just wasn't done on New Kansas.

On the way to basic training, their group was waylaid by pirates. With help too far off, they take it upon themselves to try to escape their captors. After all, in space, no one can hear you travel.

Isha Fatima