The Unpublished Stories

Location: New York City
Date: 22nd of January, 2404

Andromeda. The nearest major galaxy to the Milky Way. Visible to the naked eye from Earth on moonless nights. The blue tint caused by pockets of hot, young stars burning was mesmerizing. That was her name. Andromeda Halolight. The last name Halolight was a famous one, ranging all the way back centuries ago. All the name was ever known for was their extensive love of stars, galaxies, and anything else space related.

But to her, it was almost a burden, having a name like that. It reminded her she couldn't choose which job she wanted, that her life would always be one of astronomy. That people would look down on her if she said out loud that she didn't want this type of life.

Andromeda sighed as she tapped through her studies on the XTablet, the radio in the background ordering the citizens of Florida to evacuate. She told the radio to turn off, and it did, casting the room into a silence that was only broken by the tapping and beeps in the next room over. That was her mom, working on Project Safehouse.

The project that would save the world. That was its slogan. Astronomers were tasked with the job of finding a new planet for the last half remaining population on Earth.

There had been a nuclear war twenty years ago and the aftermath of the devastation had led to the U.C.E. The United Countries of Earth. The remaining countries were allies in getting to a safe world free from toxic air that threatened to never leave since it had been too much. As far as Andromeda knew, New York was safe for now. But they would have to move more North if the energy in the South got worse.

Her thoughts were cut off when Sirius, her family's German shepherd, jumped on her bed, and snuggled up next to her. Andromeda put down her XTablet, pausing her studies, and gave him some attention.

“Hey buddy, what's up?” She murmured, and he placed his head in her lap, making her smile. “Wanna go for a walk?”

Sirius' head was up at the last word, his tail starting to wag, and the look in his eyes was a hopeful one. He suddenly hopped off the bed, and barked, as if saying “yes!”

Andromeda laughed and slid off her bed, grabbing her XBracelet and R.I.N.G.T. (Rebel Industries New Generation Technology) for communication if she needed it.

She slid into her mom's home office and told her where she was going.

“Yeah, just be careful, sweetie, okay?” Her mom didn't look up from the holo projection of some star system. The sight of it made Andromeda feel burdened again, but she didn't let it show, instead, she thanked her mom and went to the entryway of the apartment.

She put on her shoes and grabbed her pouch that held emergency masks, in case there's toxins in the air, and other stuff that was necessary. The door opened, and her dad walked in. He would only be home for the lunch hour, then he'd go back to the observatory.

Andromeda hugged her dad, “I'm going for a walk, I'll be back! Hi and goodbye I guess.” she laughed softly.

He nodded, be careful, alright? If any alarms go off, follow protocol. He signed to her. He was mute, needing to use sign language or text to speech to communicate with people. But that didn't slow him down in the least, he was one of the best astronomers in New York.

“I know, don't worry.”

Even if it's just a test.

Andromeda nodded, then hugged him once more. She noticed a XTablet was still activated in her dad's bag. It showed a landscape of some unknown place, and she could slightly make out the word and number “Harmony 7.” She was about to ask her dad about it but Sirius was barking like crazy. He wanted to get out.

“Okay, okay, calm down. Quiet.” She hooked on the leash, and walked out of the apartment, saying goodbye to her dad once more.

As she walked to the elevator, she had to try to keep Sirius from tugging on the leash. “Calm down.” She ordered again, and the German shepherd let out a huff that sounded alarmingly human, but stopped tugging, walking at a more normal pace.

Once they were outside, Andromeda felt the burden slightly fall off her shoulders, and she let in a deep breath. The air here was clear, but who knew how long it would be clear for. She headed towards the coffee shop that was a couple blocks down the street. Along the way, she talked to Sirius, even though he couldn't really understand her.

“Sure, astronomy is cool and stuff… but it's so… complicated. What if I was told to figure something out, and I accidently did something wrong? And the rest of the population of Earth just…” she shook her head like she was shaking away the thoughts. But they didn't go away.

“I'd probably be disowned if I said I didn't want this lifestyle… My whole bloodline is known for their studies! Not one person in the family strayed from this line of science…” she looked back at Sirius, who was bounding along happily in front of her, not a care in the world. Andromeda sighed, wishing she had that type of personality. She turned her attention to the streets. CyberBikes and Streamliners zoomed past her and the other civilians walking. The only sound coming from the vehicles were almost unnoticeable hums.

Then they reached the destination, The Coffee Nook. It was a cute little coffee shop that was dog friendly, having treats and even a little playground for the dogs.

Sirius’ tail wagged like crazy, he loved this place, probably more than Andromeda did. She chuckled at him as the doors slid open soundlessly, and they walked in. The lights cast a soft, comforting color, and the smell was like coffee and books. Dwarf trees were in long, white, environment containers along the sides of the cafe. The counters were sleek and held the normal modern look of counters. The long blue streak that ran across it was specially designed to detect radioactive activity.

Andromeda took the leash off, and Sirius knew exactly where to go. He ran through the little doggy door that led to the park. He was going to cause trouble, no doubt.

That troublemaker, She thought fondly as she watched his tail disappear into the room.

The customers were seated at various tables and booths, doing various things. Chatting, reading HoloBooks, playing HoloGames, drinking coffee, eating coffee cakes, it was a nice, calm, and healing environment.

She walked up to the counter, ordering a drink. Her friend, Kaylee, was at the counter, so they chatted a bit.

“I forgot to wish you a happy birthday a few days ago!” Kaylee sighed, “I've been so busy, sorry! Happy late birthday! Eighteen, huh? You're getting old,” she teased, her cheery vibe was contagious.

Andromeda rolled her eyes and laughed, going along with it, “I can already feel it in my knees, I'll probably be needing-” the whole café fell silent. The lights changed color, the once blue streak on the counter, now a dark olive green. And an alarm went off.

A/N:
I mean I might publish the whole story but it's gotta undergo editing so XDDDD we'll see what happens......... And I don't even have a solid title.... I mean maybe but nah... And the blurb? Pffft.... Doesn't exist..... Heh ¯⁠\⁠_⁠(⁠ツ⁠)⁠_⁠/⁠¯