Chapter 2: The Sun Is Dying

[Terran Star, Modern Era Year 2212]

"Home, hmn?" A soft velvety voice uttered as she listened to the sound of newscasters reporting news after news of criminal cases, scandals, and natural disasters.

Dainty hands raised the electronic tablet and, after a finger pressed the screen, the display on the screen changed with a click.

[BREAKING NEWS: The Terran Cosmic Research Center reports an unprecedented drop in the Sun's hydrogen level. Scientists at the TCRC warn that humanity's window for preparation has been dramatically shrunk to a few decades at best.]

[This is a major departure from the previously accepted knowledge of at least a thousand years.]

[In response to this urgent situation, 47 countries, including our own Eden Country, have publicly announced the acceleration of spaceship development.]

[These cutting-edge spaceships are meticulously designed to carry the over 10 billion Terran inhabitants, along with genetic material of all known species.]

[In a bid to preserve the planet's already dwindling biodiversity, the ships will also carry live specimens of the most vital animal and plant species carefully chosen to sustain an effective ecosystem during the migration—

The sound and lights were abruptly cut by another click, followed by a soft sigh.

The owner of the voice was sitting lazily on her chaise lounge, her relaxed posture revealing confident poise, and her well-manicured hands absent-mindedly patting her big belly.

She now sat alone inside a classically decorated room, her long dark hair gracefully cascading down her back, and its deep brown hue reflected hints of copper under the light of the morning sun.

Slowly, her striking green orbs, framed by her long feathering lashes, opened. However, as she recalled the contents of the report, her eyes narrowed slightly, heart felt heavy.

She had an intuition: They don't have enough time.

Unless there was a miracle, they would all die.

Just a pity for her children who may not even get the chance to experience the world, even if it was just for a while.

"You shouldn't watch such depressing news so early in the morning, missy." A pleasant-looking woman sounded from the kitchen.

On her hands was a silver tray with a warm cup of milk. The woman carefully placed the items on the side table and stood professionally a few meters away, ready to be called.

"Thank you, nanny." The young woman said, her feathery voice landed on the nanny's ears, causing her to smile unconsciously.

The pregnant woman did not sit properly but only lifted her upper body so she could get a sip of her warm milk.

The nanny stared at the girl she watched grow up, from a thin orphan to the present beauty of infinite charm.

The woman's luscious hair framed her oval face, accentuating her beautiful features. Her unique emerald eyes were further emphasized by the beauty mark under her right eye.

The girl's pregnancy added a soft femininity that made her more attractive. She couldn't help but recall how she was only a few years prior; This girl had been a bit of a tomboy for as far as she could remember.

Motherhood could change anyone… and this stubborn girl, Althea, it seemed, was no exception.

"Well, I was hoping they would get news of that guy, but they showed me the galaxy's potential death instead." She said jokingly, but the nanny did not smile with her.

"Missy..."

She raised her hand to stop the topic. She knew she was the one to open the topic, and she regretted it the moment she said it.

She knew the pain she felt when she found out her husband went missing months ago.

Nearly half a year ago, her husband was called for a top-secret mission by their government. It was normal to be out of contact for a month or so, however, after two months, they had no news at all.

A sense of dread stabbed her every day until she finally couldn't handle it anymore and started calling the higher-ups.

Fortunately, she had some connections and power in the government thanks to her contributions so she didn't get dismissed on the first call.

However, they delayed the meeting continuously until a brave media reporter—an old friend of theirs—revealed the results of his investigation.

Apparently, hundreds of soldiers went missing less than a month after their mission started.

Worse: They had already been presumed dead.

It felt like she was submerged in cold water, and she immediately went to the Headquarters and demanded an answer.

She almost had a miscarriage at the time and could be said to be the worst day of her life so far.

She did not even know she was pregnant.

Fortunately, her brother was next to her and she was taken to hospital in time for treatment, otherwise, she'd have followed her family to the grave.

After recovering, she and her brother spent most of their business profits finding out the news, tapping several illegal channels by the way.

Eventually, their reporter friend hinted at some clues. However, it was extremely difficult to get news without risking life.

Her brother helped her control public opinion, slowly revealing the clues they had and eventually, the government gave in to public pressure. The answer was frankly not something any one of them had expected.

An odd fluctuation in space was discovered months ago, and weird animalistic monsters came out in droves.

There were a total of 300 soldiers from 10 countries that went on that mission.

But not a single one returned.

Not even a piece of the dozen tanks and bombers they sent were seen.

No one still knew what happened.

Shortly afterward, the sun's problem was confirmed, and it got more difficult to get an answer from the government. She and the other families funded their own searches but to no avail.

Now, the sun's problem exploded—no pun intended—and this problem had been completely set aside.

Just like that: Other than their families and friends, no one remembered those missing soldiers anymore.

"I'm sure the master is fine." Nanny said, "He will definitely come back to you." And she said so with certainty.

Although the madam's husband was often away, her experienced eyes could see how much that man loved his wife.

He was the type of man who could jump off a cliff if she wanted a flower hanging dangerously on the side.

It would break the madam if the husband was confirmed to be gone. Right now, she and the girl just firmly believed that he was fine somewhere.

"Hmm." Althea hummed. And although her tone seems non-committal, her bright eyes expressed her firm belief. Then, she turned her head to the older woman. "I'm glad you're here, nanny."

Althea said so sincerely. This woman had basically raised the three of them because their parents were often busy with their careers.

Now that their parents were dead, her husband was also missing, and her brother would inevitably have his own life…, she didn't know what would happen if Nanny wasn't here.

The older woman smiled warmly. It was at this time that they heard the digital lock sound from the main door, they simultaneously turned their heads to meet the handsome smiling face of the newcomer.

"Sister."

Her expression softened as she smiled at the newcomer. "Ansel, you're back." She uttered, finally putting down her small feet to give the newcomer space to sit next to her.

Ansel stared at her for a few more seconds before walking closer and naturally sitting down next to her. He smiled and handed her the small box of snacks he brought with him.

Althea's eyes warmed at the sight of her brother.

The childish little brat had grown his dark curly hair a little beyond the ear. A few buttons were also left open to show off his collar, and his overall temperament emitted a playboy charm.

Of course, this was for outsiders, in front of her he just looked like an innocent little boy at the beginning of adolescence, dependent on his older sister.

"Good morning sister." He grinned, showing his perfect teeth. "Long time no see~"