"Name, birth cycle, and citizen identification," the conscription Adjutant droned, his tone as listless as the drab, flickering lights overhead. "Alden Nakada, born 3/31/9825 PE, identification þ-134572," Alden replied, his voice rising with a spark of enthusiasm. It was his turn to enlist in the draft called forth by Veren Darnessia, and around him, what seembed like millions of men and women stood in long, restless lines, each one eager to fight for a cause greater than themselves. The Darnessia annexation of the fortress world of Yut-Sarrit aimed to subjugate the minor Veren of Klendarrin. "You will be stationed on the Despot of Loyalty, in Barrak B-21," the conscription Adjutant declared, his arm sweeping dramatically toward the imposing shuttle that loomed on the farthest left landing platform. "That transport ship will ferry you there."

"Vuladis Darnessia," Alden replied with a crisp salute. "Vuladis Darnessia, conscript. May you excel on the battlefield and bring honor to your family name." He returned the salute with a nod, his gaze fixed on the transport ship docked at Dock 7. A sea of several hundred thousand conscripts surged around him, flowing toward their designated vessels or drifting away into the bustling chaos of the port. As Alden approached the transport, the haunting hymn of the Loqoto-Sanid filled the air, weaving through the crowd like a solemn thread.

"What is a Sanid-apostle doing here?" one conscript mused to another, their voices a blend of curiosity and anxiety.

"I don't know," the other replied, eyes shining with a flicker of hope. "I was under the impression that the Emperor and Loqoto maintained their neutrality throughout the inter-imperial wars."

Alden walked past the cermon, searching for Barrak Æ-21. Upon arrival, he placed a worn bag of his belongings on the bunk, its fabric fraying at the edges. He settled in, anticipation buzzing in the air until two men entered the room. They seemed like old friends, their laughter weaving through the space like a familiar melody. One was shorter than Alden by a few inches, sporting short golden hair and a constellation of freckles across his cheeks. The other matched Alden's height, his white hair gleaming like moonlight, skin as light as a noble on Drakos V, and eyes as dark as the depths of space.

"I can't believe we got bunked together-" The shorter one stopped as they both noticed Alden watching them. "Hey you, you a conscript too?" He said with a bit of an accent.

"Yeah, my name's Alden Nakada. I'm from Veaderos III," he said, his voice steady.

"The mining asteroid? Huh, didn't expect that," the shorter one said, his voice tinged with surprise. He shifted on his feet, as if reconsidering his initial assessment of Alden.

"Yeah," Alden said with a shrug, his eyes gleaming with the hint of a hidden hunger. "I needed out. Life there was suffocating. So, when I saw the draft call, I didn't think twice."

"Well, nice to meet you, Alden. My name's Ahren Dituri, and I'm from New Inddale. I joined up because I want to bring honor to my family," Ahren said, his warm smile illuminating his features.

"My name is Willian Caldera. I hail from New Inddale as well. I joined because of him and his quest for goodwill, and to quench my thirst for adventure," Willian added, bowing slightly in a gesture of camaraderie.

"Ah, so you two know each other?" Alden asked, a spark of curiosity dancing in his eyes.

"Yep, we met in a bar and became friends the moment we got to know each other. It's a miracle from the Loqoto-Sanid themselves that we were bunked together," he replied, his smile radiating warmth and joy, illuminating his entire face.

Just then, another figure entered the room—she was breathtakingly beautiful, her skin a warm brown that gleamed like polished pine. She stood at roughly the same height as Ahern, commanding attention with her presence.

Ahren, bubbling with enthusiasm, eagerly introduces himself to the new bunkmate. The woman surveys the trio of occupants, but her gaze lingers on Alden, their eyes locking in a fleeting moment of connection. "Nice to meet you! My name is Ahern Dituri, and I'm from New Inddale," Ahern said confidently. Alden and Willian then introduced themselves.

"My name is Kylie Nyseth, and I'm from High Groskyo," she says quickly. Alden sinks onto his bunk, propping his head on his hands, but his moment of respite is short-lived as three more individuals step through the door. He sits back up, surveying the room with keen interest. Ahern leaps at the opportunity to introduce himself first, followed closely by Willian, whose formal introduction carries a weight of propriety. Finally, it's Kylie's turn, her words shy and hesitant.

Once introductions are complete, Alden walks to Willian's side and takes a deep breath. "My name is Alden Nakada," he states, attempting the mental gymnastics of recalling everyone's names while gauging their personalities.

The first to introduce himself was a tall, well-built man with sun-kissed skin and deep brown eyes that seemed to absorb the light around him. "My name is Jareth Toten. You may address me as Toten. I do hope for your sakes that you don't slow me down on the battlefield," he declared with an air of arrogance.

  "yes, princess, would you like a cup of brovechi tea with that?" Alden retorted loudly, his tone dripping with mockery. Jareth winced at the jab, his expression hardening as he scoffed at Alden's insolence.

"Please forgive him; he can be arrogant, but he has his moments," the woman next to him said. She exuded a warm, mature presence, a buff, fair-skinned woman with stern, pale grey eyes and curly, mousey brown hair. "My name is Iria Toten; I'm his sister. I look forward to fighting alongside you," Iria said with a smile.

"Good afternoon, my name is Fukimo Hara, I hope for a prosperous future with you all," Fumiko said with a deeper bow than Willians. A 5' 8" tall, golden-skinned woman with focused, light blue eyes, and a curly bun in her hair.

After settling in, everyone seized the opportunity to learn more about one another. Alden, however, chose to retreat into a cocoon of relaxation, speaking only when prompted with questions about his life. "Man, I'm exhausted. Space travel is a real hassle, and it took me hours just to get registered," he mused to himself. The rest grabbed chairs and made a circle around eachother. Alden watched the guy Jareth slouch in the corner, legs wide apart, as if he owned the whole room. His posture was so obnoxious, it practically screamed I'm better than you.

"Man, he even sits like an asshole," Alden muttered to himself, a mischievous grin spreading across his face as he leaned back in his bunk, feeling the humor bubbling up.

"So, Fumiko, Jareth, and Iria, where are you all from?" Ahern inquired, his curiosity piqued.

"Jareth and I hail from lower Vamgill," Iria replied, her voice steady yet humble.

"I'm from Veadros III," Fumiko admitted, a flush creeping across her cheeks. Alden's ears twitched at the mention, though he remained sprawled on the bunk, feigning indifference.

"Hey, there's no need to be embarrassed! Alden over there is from Veadros as well," Ahern said with a teasing lilt to his tone.

"Ah, his snarky comment from earlier makes sense now—he's a dirty rock breaker," Jareth quipped, a grin stretching across his face.

"Eat shit, mud dweller," Alden retorted, springing to a seated position. "Oh, the vulgarity of this one! You truly are a rock breaker," Jareth teased, a playful glint in his eye as he once again poked fun at Alden.

At that moment, a figure strode into the room, a commanding presence that drew every eye. "Vuladis Darnessia!" the figure proclaimed, their voice slicing through the air like a clarion call. Instantly, the atmosphere shifted; everyone stood at attention, a collective surge of respect and curiosity. In his haste to rise, Alden miscalculated his movements and collided painfully with the low-hanging bunk above him, the dull thud punctuating the sudden tension in the air.