M’Lene sighed as she led back on their picnic blanket and stared up at the stars. The two moons of Rea and Sura were bathed delicately in starlight and M’Lene smiled as she snuggled in to her fiance Carlos. The trip home had been wonderful and M’Lene had been thrilled that her family had accepted Carlos with open arms, not that she had expected any less. They quietly embraced and watched the night sky in all it’s beauty. It was their last day of shore leave before they rejoined the Valerian and took on their next mission. Carlos gently stroked the fur on M’Lene’s head then kissed her on the forehead. “You were right, this really is beautiful…” he said as he gazed into her eyes.

M’Lene sprang to her feet and pulled him up. “Come on, there’s something I want to show you…” she started then unexpectedly the ground began to shake as though a violent earthquake was beginning.

M’Lene bolted upright as she awoke with a start. Something wasn’t right here. She briefly gazed at the picture of Carlos she kept by her bedside, allowing herself a split second of grief before the ship shook again.

She leapt out of bed and hastily got into her uniform and smoothed her fur. She put her comm badge on and sprinted down the corridor to the turbolift to make her way to the bridge.

Lt (jg) M’Lene (CSO)