Exploration Date: Month 6, Day 17, 09:26

Location: Skylark Mess Hall #3

     "Ugh, why can't anything exciting happen? Huh Blast?" The mess hall was practically empty. At least it felt that way, given there were only 13 knights in the room built for over 400.

     "You’ve been saying that since week 2 of the expedition. No matter what you want or pray for, it’s not going to just ‘miraculously’ happen.” I said, waving my hands in the air. Across from me at the table was my brother, Zimthose, who had been complaining again to me all morning that nothing ‘exciting’ ever happened on the Skylark. He was currently rolling his forehead from side to side against the table. He muttered something, but the domed helmet he wore covered his face, muffling his voice.

     “What do you want to happen anyways?” The question came from the knight on my right, Nordauf. He took his padded cap off and put it back on, trying to center it properly for the third time in the last minute. He noticed me watching at him and rolled his yellow eyes.

     “Hell if I know. Just, something, you know?” Zimthose sat up and shrugged, apparently unsure of his own desires. Nordauf and I shook our heads, no clue of what Zimthose might really want.

     “No, we don’t know. That’s why we’re asking, moron,” I replied. “We’ve been busy since we got on the ship. All knights aboard the Skylark are constantly keeping active in some way or another, especially with the training regimens that we’re assigned. I cannot fathom why it’s so difficult to satisfy or entertain you.” Each month since the start of our voyage, knights would rotate instructors for various training and exercises that would be of help during the expedition, whether it be survival, first aid, combat, or anything in between. This month, we and a few dozen other knights were to be introduced to Euclid and Parma from Alpha Squad, who were in charge of advanced combat mechanics. Nordauf nodded in agreement.

     “Yeah, I mean it’s not like you are sitting around doing nothing, right? But hey, if you want to do something really fun, then why not go AWOL?” Nordauf asked, grinning sarcastically. I turned and glared at him. “Hey, I’m just joking, ‘kay?” I let out a sigh.

     “Joking or not, Nordauf, please don’t encourage his already outrageous behavior. Although I doubt he even knows what AWOL means…” We both turned our gazes to my brother, sitting there staring back at us.

     “Oh please, all because I don’t know what you mean by ‘a wall’ doesn’t mean you guys get to treat me like an idiot. Now how much longer do we have? I’m going to ditch the lessons with those stuck up Alpha squad pricks.”

     Euclid and Parma were some of the most well known knights among all the Spiral Knights, and almost everyone respected them unconditionally simply for their accomplishments in the Morai War. My brother was not one of those people. “Why do we have to listen to that Euclid guy anyway? What makes him so special? I mean, if I’d had more time or been allowed out into the field, I’m sure I’d be just as impressive, easy!” His outburst got the attention of a few eyes nearby, but he didn’t seem to be bothered by it. If anything, he and his ego probably appreciated it.

     “Oh yes, absolutely,” I agreed, with an overly sarcastic tone. “Despite only turning 17 two and a half months ago, and despite not having any actual field experience whatsoever, I’m sure you could easily get on the level of the youngest Vanguard in history.” Being 2 years my junior, my brother always seemed to be trying to compete with me, or anyone for that matter, in any and everything. Back in basic training on Isora, that wouldn’t have been too big an issue. Trying to prove oneself early on was a common theme among knights, especially those that aspired to be like Euclid, but in my brother’s case, it just got annoying to all parties involved. Especially when my brother was usually all bark, no bite.

     “It won’t be that bad, Zim,” Nordauf said, trying to calm him down. “If anything, you’re likely to pick up on his tricks and get on his level if you pay attention. Then you can lead your own Beta or Delta Squad or something! Ya know, since Alpha Squad’s already taken and all.” I let out a laugh at that remark.

     “Hahaha, what? Zimthose? Leading a squad? And a high tier one at that? Those squadmates would have to be suicidal to follow him anywhere! Even if he learned anything from Euclid.”

     “You say that, but the same could be said for you, Blast. But after training under Euclid, who knows what any one of us can accomplish? Even Zimthose could be successful, I’m-” Nordauf stopped short as the words left his mouth. “Err… you know, like… sorry, I meant-”

     “Oh shut it! You two might be satisfied with being beta-male-bitches, but I won’t stop till I’m number one, and put Euclid in his place!” Zimthose shouted, slamming his hand onto the table. “And today’s combat training will show you just how big the gap in our skills has become, Blast. Older brother or not, you and I are both squires! And I won’t go easy on you to spare your feelings or some shit.”

     “Likewise. I wouldn’t dream of giving you an easy time after everything you put me through, everyday! At least Nordauf might be some decent competition in the ring.”

     “Ladies, ladies, please! Let’s take this to the firing range and I’ll show you how bad both of you are in a shootout,” Nordauf smirked, patting the empty holster on his hip.

     “Yeah? I bet you couldn't hit the broadside of the Skylark! Just watch, I’ll hit double the targets you do with my eyes closed!” Zimthose retorted.

     “As if! You couldn’t empty a boot full of water with the instructions on the heel!” Our banter continued, even after the rest of the knights left the mess hall. When I noticed we were alone, I checked the clock on the wall. It read 9:43. Almost time to head out.

     “Well, I’m going to head on over to the training-sim room. Don’t be late, you two. Especially after promising us a show, Zim. Double the targets with eyes closed, pft. That’s a bet I’m willing to take!” Nordauf shouted, waving as he passed through the open doorway. My brother cursed him under his breath, realizing he’d been tricked into agreeing to go to today’s training after all. I gathered the remaining dishes left on the table, including Zimthose’s. He never took care of it himself anyways, so I figured I might as well do it. I got up and was taking everything to the used-items deposit station when an alarm suddenly began to ring.

     “ZIMTHOSE!” My immediate reaction was to turn and scold my brother for doing something stupid. To my surprise, he was looking around in just as much shock as I was.

     “I didn’t do nothing, Blast! Stop assuming it’s always me causing problems!” He shouted back at me before bolting out of the room. I tossed the dishes on the rack and headed after him. We turned a corner and headed down an extended hallway wrapping around the whole side of the ship. We were on level 13 of the Skylark, with 12 floors below us and another 6 leading up to the bridge at the aft of the spacecraft . On our left was a long port-side window that gave us a glimpse at a planet we had never seen before. My brother gave me a quick glance and smiled. “Looks like we’ll be getting some excitement just like I wanted.”

     “Uhuh, and it took just how long to finally get here? They’ll probably still have us do training under Alpha squad even if…” My voice trailed off as I looked closer at the planet. It was absolutely massive. Of course, there was no telling how close we were exactly to the planet, but I could already tell it was much larger than our homeworld of Isora. And the way the land was shaped made it seem almost… fake.

     My brother almost didn’t notice I had stopped moving. “What, do you see something?” he asked, following my gaze. We stood there silently for a moment, taking it in: a brand new, unexplored planet. The setting for a new adventure. An adventure we might be able to finally partake in, just as we had dreamed about growing up and when joining the crew of the Skylark. “Say, you think-” Zimthose started, but I put a hand up to stop him. “Hey, don’t just-”

     “What’s that?” I asked, ignoring him. I was pointing to a large black spot in the middle of the planet. It seemed so out of place, as if the land or water that had been there suddenly just vanished, leaving nothing behind. Except for a small glowing pink dot, it seemed. Then, suddenly it was gone.

     I took a step towards the window, and my brother did the same, squinting. “The big gaping hole in the planet you mean?” I shook my head, trying to ignore the reflective glow of my green eyes in the window.

     “No. I mean, yes, but I thought I saw something pink sparkling there for a moment.” No sooner had the words left my mouth when a booming voice echoed from above: “ALL HANDS, BRACE FOR IMPACT!”