"Starborn Children"


The Aurora Hawk glided through the pale light of the Neris Belt, its engines humming softly. For the first time in weeks, the crew enjoyed a rare quiet moment.


That peace didn’t last.


“Captain,” Mira’s voice echoed through the ship, calm but urgent, “I’ve intercepted a priority distress signal. Origin: a freighter identified as The Seraphim. Message: ‘Protect the children.’ Transmission cut.”


Leonardo Duremdes rose from the cockpit chair, his eyes narrowing. “Location?”


“Drifting near asteroid cluster E-9. No escorts. No response since.”


Kyle groaned. “I don’t like this. Freighters don’t just vanish out here unless somebody wants them gone.”


Sophia leaned back from her console. “Or someone made sure they couldn’t call for help twice.”


Hiede glanced up from the med-bay monitor. “Children. Did she say children?”


Cristina’s jaw tightened. “If that signal’s legit, we don’t have time to debate it.”


Leonardo turned to the crew. “Prepare for contact. Mira, bring us in fast, but keep us off scanners. We’re not walking into an ambush blind.”



---


The Seraphim drifted in darkness, its hull scarred by plasma burns.


Leonardo, Kyle, Sophia, and Silen suited up, while Hiede readied the med-bay. Cristina and Silen monitored scanners. As they boarded, the silence was suffocating.


Inside the freighter’s cargo bay, they found them—ten children huddled together, frightened but unharmed. A tall man stepped forward, a scar running across his cheek.


“Who are you?” he demanded, gripping a rifle.


Leonardo raised his hands in peace. “Captain Leonardo Duremdes. We picked up your distress signal. We’re here to help.”


The man studied him, then finally nodded. “Name’s Antonio Reyes. These kids… they’re Starborn.”


Kyle frowned. “Starborn?”


Antonio gestured toward the children. “Genetically engineered. Enhanced reflexes, accelerated learning. They’re not supposed to exist. Someone wants them erased.”


Before Leonardo could reply, another voice echoed from the shadows.


“Not erased. Reclaimed.”


From the far end of the bay emerged three armed mercenaries, led by Benjie, a cold-eyed hunter with a smile that didn’t reach his face. Behind him was Norbeto, a towering brute with cybernetic arms.


“Well, well,” Benjie drawled. “The famous Starlight Courier. I’ve heard you’ve got a bad habit of sticking your nose where it doesn’t belong.”


Leonardo stepped forward, unshaken. “These kids aren’t yours.”


Benjie smirked. “Everything in this sector belongs to the highest bidder. And I’ve been paid very well.”



---


The standoff didn’t last long.


Sophia tossed a flash drone that exploded in a burst of light. Kyle fired a stun blast, knocking Norbeto back a step. Antonio ushered the children toward cover while Leonardo engaged Benjie in close combat.


Benjie was fast—faster than any normal man. He struck like lightning, but Leonardo blocked, countering with precision born of years in the void.


Meanwhile, Silen darted between crates, laying down suppressive fire, while Sophia hacked into the Seraphim’s security grid.


“Give me thirty seconds,” she shouted. “I can lock the cargo doors!”


“Make it twenty!” Kyle yelled, ducking behind cover.


Hiede’s voice came over comms: “Medical ready! Just bring them home alive!”



---


Benjie grinned, his blade flashing as he slashed at Leonardo. “You can’t win, Courier. You can’t save everyone.”


Leonardo caught the strike with his gauntlet, twisted the mercenary’s wrist, and sent him sprawling. “Watch me.”


Sophia’s voice rang out. “Doors locked!”


Massive steel barriers slammed shut, sealing the mercenaries away from the children. Norbeto roared, pounding at the barrier, but it didn’t budge.


Antonio exhaled. “That’ll hold them. For now.”


Leonardo turned to him. “Get the kids aboard the Hawk. Mira, warm up the engines—we’re leaving.”



---


As they made their escape, Benjie’s voice echoed through the comms, low and venomous.


“This isn’t over, Courier. I’ll find you. I’ll find them.”


Leonardo stared at the viewport, his jaw set. “You can try.”



---


Back aboard the Aurora Hawk, Hiede treated the children while Antonio sat beside them, his hand resting protectively on the shoulder of the youngest.


Silen leaned against the wall. “Those mercs aren’t just freelancers. I’ve seen that mark on their armor—House Draven. They’re corporate enforcers.”


Cristina cursed under her breath. “If they’re involved, this isn’t just a rescue mission anymore. It’s a war.”


Kyle glanced at Leonardo. “So what now?”


Leonardo looked at the stars, his voice steady. “Now? We keep them safe. And when Benjie comes—and he will—we’ll be ready.”


Sophia smirked, adjusting her tools. “Good. I was getting bored.”



---


The children slept soundly in the Hawk’s quarters, safe for now. But Leonardo Duremdes knew this was only the beginning.


The Starlight Courier had made an enemy.


And in the darkness of space, Benjie smiled.