Fiction Over Reality

 Finding the Enemy (Joined Squad A) Almost silent engines steadily climb in volume, hitting their crescendo just when it seems like the ship might shake itself apart. Then, after a single beat of rest, you blast off down the runway, leaving the hangar at a speed difficult to comprehend. Once in the darkness of space, the pressure forcing you into your seat eases, and you can see Ga'rook and Sam following you close behind. "This is the last chance to say something before we fight the gorgons." You tell them over the comms. "Anything you want to get off your chests?" There's silence for a moment, until Ga'rooks guttural voice says, "Yeah... I'm actually the one who ate your nachos at that space ball tournament a few months ago. I didn't tell you because watching you blame Roland made me laugh too hard. Afterwards it just felt too awkward to bring up again..." "Oh, oh! I've got one too" Says Sam. "Remember that reporter ...

Preparing for Takeoff (Joined Squad A) Entering the hangar, you see Ga'rook and Sam preparing their ships for takeoff. Ga'rook's bulky and rectangular ship especially stands out, as he just finished painting a massive octopus with tentacles reaching towards the cabin on its side. Parked beside Ga'rook's, Sam's ship appears small in comparison. Its wide, umbrella-like wings and spherical central cockpit also make it seem less threatening than Ga'rook's hulking weapon with wings. Despite its flimsy appearance though, the wings of Sam's ship can redirect almost any attack with ease. Ga'rook might not be able to avoid the enemy, but thanks to Sam, he'll never have to. Greeting Sam and Ga'rook with a wave, you make your way towards your own ship. It's design isn't anything exaggerated like the rest of your team. In fact, if it weren't for all of the strange exterior clamps and custom paintjob, most people in the UPA would have thou...

 Squad B: Joining Ten and Trion Ten and Trion perfectly represent the skills of the Perseus crew. In fact, you are the only other member who can contend with their number of flight records. It might be outside of the crew's comfort zone, but you are confident that teaming up with Ten and Trion will make Squad B an unstoppable force, which is just what you'll need to beat the Gorgons. Your crew seems confused by the choice at first, but Roland seems to immediately understand what you are thinking, saying, "Squad B is the sword and we in Squad B will be the shield. Perfect thinking Captain! Now, everyone get to your ships! It's about time we show those cold-blooded creeps who they're dealing with.      "YES, SIR!" the crew roars, setting out for the hangar immediately. Roland turns to you, giving a quick salute before following close behind. Saluting back, you jog after them, all the while acting like the weight of the universe isn't slowing you down. [...

Squad A: Joining Ga'rook and Sam Ga'rook and Sam already have perfect teamwork, but with you there to give them orders the Gorgons don't stand a chance. Your squadmates seem to share this mindset, with Roland saying, "Standard makes sense. Besides, teamwork AND our new weapons might just be what we need to take these things down. Now, everyone get to your ships! Those space snakes aren't going to get rid of themselves!"     "YES, SIR!" the crew roars, setting out for the hangar immediately. Roland turns to you, giving one last salute before following close behind. Saluting back, you jog after them, all the while acting like the weight of the universe isn't slowing you down. [Next] Quick note for me and readers: This one felt hard to end properly. I purely want it to be a narrative section, but I feel like I'm kind of underselling things, or even making things feel to distanced. I'll definitely come back to this later, but I feel like it...