At twenty-four rotations old, my life took a turn I never saw coming. I, Luna Amir Ishmael, went from being a low-level warrior to a rebel invader for the Tau, a faction notorious for its brutal tactics and complete disregard for life.

When I first arrived in this world, I thought fate had brought me here, that some grand destiny awaited. But the truth? I hated it. Every part of me screamed against it, even though I knew I had no choice.

Tau Ceti—our home—used to be a barren wasteland, a place we were forced to take refuge when the Arcturians, our birth parents, rejected us. You see, the Arcturians couldn’t raise us because of our violent tendencies. We were born with razor-sharp teeth and claws that could destroy anything in our path. They tried to raise us, out of some misguided love, but it always ended in chaos. They gave up on us, leaving us to fend for ourselves.

So, our leaders came to Arcturus, scooped up the abandoned Tau babies, and brought us back in pod-shaped nurseries. We didn’t hate the Arcturians. If anything, we owed them everything—our existence was because of their rejection. But that didn’t mean we were done with them. No, we wanted more. It was the rest of the universe we were after. And Tau Ceti was just the beginning.

“Maloof Kashif! Step forward immediately!” The voice rings out, slicing through my thoughts like a knife.

I snap to attention, saluting with the rest of the troops. We’re lined up in the Great Hall, surrounded by gold-trimmed curtains and ornate decorations that make the whole place feel like a gilded cage. My silver suit gleams under the lights, but it feels like a prison.

“Maloof!” The call comes again. This time, the soldier at the front of the room, tall and striking with perfectly shaped features, strides forward to receive her orders from the Sisters Superior.

“Maloof,” the Sister Superior says coolly, “You are to be deployed to Planet Centauri immediately. Your mission is reconnaissance. Report weekly on the planet’s structure and technology. Only engage the locals after absorbing their DNA and cloaking yourself in a suitable flesh suit.”

Maloof nods respectfully, her silvery hair flowing over her shoulders. As she accepts the mission scroll tied in gold thread, the whispers start up around me.

“She’s so lucky,” a purple-skinned soldier murmurs, his voice hushed with excitement. “Centauri’s supposed to be one of the most beautiful planets out there. She’ll have a blast hunting and harvesting the locals.”

“Totally,” another soldier agrees. “If we’re lucky, we’ll get to join in too.”

I hold back a grimace. The thought of hunting down helpless creatures for sport makes my stomach churn. The others are bloodthirsty, their excitement at the idea of violence clear in their expressions. But me? I’ve never been that way. I hate it. And I can feel the weight of that difference with every passing moment.

Tau are supposed to be tough, to grow into brilliant shades of purple. But me? I stayed lavender, sometimes even pink under certain lights. And my teeth? While others kept their razor-sharp fangs, mine were dull—perfectly incapable of tearing into flesh. It made me an outcast.

I never asked for this. I didn’t want to scout out planets for a future invasion. The thought of dying out in space alone terrified me. But I kept hoping the Superiors would pass me over. Maybe someone else would take the job.

But no such luck.

“Luna Amir Ishmael! Step forward and receive your order!” The command cuts through the air like a final judgment.

I push through the line, my heart pounding. The other Tau stare at me with a mix of confusion and disgust. To them, being chosen as an invader is an honor. But for someone like me, who flinches at the idea of fighting, it’s a nightmare.

“Luna!” Sister Superior’s voice rings out sharply, her tone sharp enough to make my skin prickle. “Come now, others are waiting!”

I hurry forward, my shoes squeaking on the marble floor. The Sisters Superior stand before me, towering and beautiful, their black robes embroidered with gold stars that catch the light. They exude an air of calm power, their lavender eyes assessing me with little care.

I bow deeply, my hair falling around me like a curtain, the weight of the room pressing down on my chest.

“Luna,” one of the Sisters says, her voice smooth and cold, “We have a special mission for you.”

She pauses, and I can feel the weight of her gaze. “We considered your… shortcomings. Your lack of fangs, your weakness in combat.” She pulls up a hologram, revealing a blue-and-green planet. “This is Tralfamadore, located on the far side of the universe. It’s a place the Arcturians have been visiting for centuries, though we don’t know why. That’s where you come in. We need you to go there, observe, and report on everything you find.”

The words don’t sink in at first. A planet no one’s bothered with, somewhere far off and dangerous? This wasn’t the mission I imagined. This wasn’t Centauri—this wasn’t anything I ever wanted.

“Sister Superior,” I choke out, barely able to breathe, “I’m not cut out for this. I—”

The crowd gasps as I try to explain. “I’m not strong like the others. But…” I hesitate. “I make a killer toska-berry dessert. Remember the one I made for the Hadar festival last month? It was really good, wasn’t it?”

One of the Superiors nods. “It was quite delicious.”

“Silence!” The other Superior snaps, cutting her off. Then she turns to me, her eyes narrowing in disdain. “Luna, we spared your life when you arrived as a child. We’ve shown you mercy. But you don’t fit in. You’re not like us. You’re weak, small, and obsessed with cooking.” She practically spits the word. “Do you want to live, or do you want to die as an outcast?”

I stare down at the floor, heart racing, unsure of what to say.

Sister Superior steps closer, her sandals clicking on the marble. “Tell me now. Will you accept this mission and travel to Tralfamadore? Will you become an invader and do your duty?”

My mind races, my choices narrowing. Stay here and die, or go to a strange planet and disappear, maybe live the life I’ve always dreamed of.

I take a deep breath.

I have no choice.