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I want to talk about something that happened to me, thousands of years long ago. I don't tell this sort of thing to just everyone, but you seem special to me. So, if you would, please try to keep this to yourself, okay?

You may know I'm a faerie, but nowadays there aren't too many of those left around here. A faerie is much like a human, in case you don't know, but our people have greater magical powers, including beautiful magical ethereal wings, like you've seen on me. Our people prided ourselves on beauty and power. Most of the imperial family and the faeries in our country are human sized.

In the ancient world, there was a terrible battle between the dominant races of humans and faeries. It was a terrible thing, but my people killed many humans and enslaved the others. This is a regrettable part of our people's history, however, in my day growing up, this happened many generations ago. Humans and faeries lived uncomfortably with each other, and social progress increased, where humans were no longer considered slaves. Humans began to get involved in government and society, and some of the wounds were healing.

I was an important person, though, as I was the daughter of King Alex Striking and Queen Gloria Striking. I was the princess of the faerie empire that, even though in decline, ruled over this solar system. Our empire was called the Lunar Empire, because our capital was on a moon orbiting an ancient planet.

So let's take a step back in time, and I'll begin my story as if it was the past again. Imagine that I am in the past, telling this story from the days in which I was still a teenager.

Today seemed like a normal day at the school I attended, Enlightenment Academy of Excellence. This was a pretty exclusive school for above average people. You might think I got in because I was a princess, however, all kinds of people attended, not just royalty. I passed all the exams required to get in, and I studied hard. Of course, once I got in, I had to make sure to do well to represent the royal family... I'd never live down the disgrace if I performed poorly. I think my counselors and teachers understood though.

Sigh... so much stress. I will never need to use this kind of information in my life. I actually wish I was a normal girl, and not somebody that people looked up to. I wish I had more friends, and less work. My mom and dad seem so distant, and busy. Oh well, it's not like I don't have admirers. Although, perhaps that is a problem as well. I don't like some of these people who are always hitting on me, or those who are jealous and cruel. Maybe even worse are those who act kind to my face, but are totally different people when my back is turned. The fact is, I was a celebrity, even though I was a student here. It has its pluses and minuses.

"Hey, Faye!" That was a voice, breaking my concentration. It was my friend, Lilly. Like most of the students, Lilly was a human, unlike me. She had short, brown hair, was fairly average looking, and maybe a little bit short. This was someone who treated me like I was just anybody, and from her, I appreciated it. I could trust her, unlike those people who considered themselves movers and shakers and busy-bodies.

I replied, "Oh? Hello."

She said, "I knew I would find you here in the library. You never seem to take it easy. Mr. Kelsey asked me to find you and give you a message."

That got my interest, so I put down my book. "Really? I wonder what he wants." Mr. Kelsey was my science teacher. In this day and age, science has been catching up with magic. This sort of evens up things for humans who don't have inborn magical powers. Some of the things that people have come up with are rather amazing, at least to me.

She continued, "He says this is a secret, but you are supposed to meet with Counselor Miles after class."

This was a bit of a surprise. Counselor Miles was one of the members of the Wiseman's council. Occasionally they have business with the school, or the students. The Wiseman's council is an unelected group of official advisers to the kingdom, which means my father and mother. They tend to have a lot of odd secret projects and interests, and their words are considered laws unless contradicted by someone from the royal family. Mr. Miles was the representative chosen from the planet, where there are a lot of humans and few faeries.

I replied, "I wonder what this is all about."

She responded, "I don't know... They always act so hush hush about this kind of stuff. I'm surprised they even told me this much. I've got to go, actually, so I'll catch up with you after your meeting. My class starts earlier than yours."

I said my goodbye, "See you later, Lilly."

She said, "You too!" while she was walking away. She seems preoccupied... but I guess since it's so close to finals I ought to not let this business of meeting with one of those guys bother me too much. I opened up my little notebook and wrote it down "Meeting with Mr. Miles" in it. I'm so absent minded sometimes, that if I don't take notes, I'll forget. I guess it must be the blonde hair, even though I am considered one of the top students here. Yeah, I'm pretty absent minded all right. Some things never change.

The next day...

I went to meet with Mr. Miles, the Wiseman from the Wiseman's council. I felt a little out of my place... even though I was a powerful political figure these guys made me feel like I was just any regular person off the street. They understood I only possessed what power I was allowed to have. In theory, I was a sovereign lady, but in practice any member of the Wiseman's council ignored noble orders when it suited them. My father might be able to have one dismissed or even arrested, but even then secret mobs of people existed who could make things very uncomfortable even for the royal family.

There was a shadow balance of power that I knew must be respected.

The room was poorly lit and a little cold. The Wiseman softly spoke from behind a desk. "Princess Faye..." He began, "The reason I summoned you is because I need somebody like you to go on a secret mission for me."

"Secret mission?" I replied, wondering if this wasn't some kind of a joke being played on me, because I was a royal, or naive, or both.

He looked bored with my question, "Yes, secret mission. Don't interrupt me with meaningless questions until I'm done speaking. I have chosen the three students who have the best grades and score the highest on intelligence tests to go on a mission, in space."

I couldn't believe it... leave home?

He continued, "A colony is being established in order to do classified research. I need you and some other students to go in order to study with the scientists. You, are of particular importance. If anything should... go wrong, the people are going to need an authority figure to keep order. You are the princess of the Lunar Empire, and as that has no actual meaning here, perhaps aboard the Sophia, somebody would care."

He's starting to irritate me. He is smirking like he knows that I won't dare to reply to him, because I know that he can make my life very difficult. Still, it makes me angry that anybody can talk to me, that way!

I was boiling, I couldn't really hold it in. I asked hastily, "If I say no?"

He grinned and said coldly and bemusedly, "I don't think that would be such a good idea. I think you already know what the result would be."

I'm still a bit shocked, "You're going to threaten me?"

He went on, "You should realize that I could easily get you thrown out of school. Maybe some of your little friends too. I have a lot of, let's say, influence on what gets reported in the media. People running your school listen carefully to what I say as well. I could invent a story about you and your friends doing any number of terrible things."

I feel pretty uncomfortable now. I just wish it was over. I reply angrily, "Why would you do that? What's it get you?"

He just stared at me in annoyance and replied coolly as before, "This isn't optional. You're going into space, and that is that. Prepare yourself for the trip. Go, now."

I felt distressed and rushed. I cried out, "But... Why? You said you'd answer questions..."

His cold and abrupt reply, "That's all. Go prepare for departure. You leave tomorrow after school. Everything is ready." He motioned for me to leave the room. What I hated worst was this loss of control. I felt helpless. I'm supposed to be the one of the most eminent and important figures in the kingdom and I'm treated like this. I won't forget it.

I went ahead and got up, and turned to leave the room. My life was about to change.

That night I had all my servants pack my things. I didn't sleep so well. My life was fine the way it was. I was studying for finals. I've been doing well in school. I guess that it can all disappear in a minute.

The next day. It's morning now. But the rest is yet to come. Augh, still tired. It's so hard to think clearly, got this terrible headache and I'm nervous. It's worse than a test day. My cat, Sakura, walked into the room.

Then a strange thing happened... it's as if I could understand exact what she was saying! Even though the sounds I heard were just typical cat noises, it somehow made sense as if I was hearing normal human speech. I must have looked startled. I heard her meowing, "Oh, good morning."

"Good morning, Sakura... it's weird, it's as if I can hear you."

She replied, in a calm manner I'd expect from a cat, "This is good news, honestly. I've sort of been expecting this."

I was curious at this point, even though it seemed unreal. I asked her, "How long have you been able to talk?"

She seemed amused, "Actually for a long time, but your ability to understand has merely awakened now."

"Why is this happening?" I must be stressing a little bit, or maybe this is a dream.

Matter-of-factually my cat says, "The goddess will awaken soon."

"What goddess?"

She looked slightly surprised. It seemed amazing that I could tell this, somehow it was as if I could read her body language in ways that was impossible before. She said, "You'll know soon. You're leaving on a long trip soon, I understand. I'd like to go with you, in that case."

I smiled, even though this interaction was very unfamiliar, I think I will insist on taking this pet. A familiar face always helps when going to unfamiliar places. "Very well. I'll insist you go."

Her response somehow didn't surprise me. "Well then, I'd like for you to open up a can of food for me now that that is all out of way." This is more like the cat I knew. So my morning routine continued. So a goddess is waking up... What else could be happening to me?

I kind of wonder to myself if some of my magic research I was doing for school didn't go wrong somehow. Sometimes magic has odd side effects. But Sakura was definitely telling me about a goddess. Ah, I've got so much to do. I know, I've been told all my life that I'm a special person. But why is it I feel like such a beginner? I've got to go and do some strange mission, and now my cat is talking to me. I continue to get ready, ordering servants to take my things, making lists and making sure that nothing I want is left behind. It seems they have limited what I can take, so I have to decide in short order what I must leave behind.

So, after a long night of packing and arranging and considering the future...

It's the next day. I approached the busy space station. My servants weren't far behind, but I felt alone. No doubt I'd have servants aboard the ship, but I'm not actually sure if these will be the same ones who actually make the trip with me. After all, these are palace servants, so I'm sure they'll stay at home. I'll get to meet new people I guess. I'm looking for the director, or captain, I suppose.

The space station was intimidating, yet exciting. I knew my life was going to change when I saw the busy place. Light flashed to signal which directions to go in. Even though this was like any space port, the hugeness of the universe impressed me.

I'm overwhelmed and disoriented. I am entirely out of my element. People are staring at me. I can hear whispers. "That's the princess." "They're sending her away?" "She must have used her connections to take a vacation during school." It's annoying. The worst thing about it is that they don't know what they're talking about. I don't actually know the details either, so that's even more aggravating.

Here is where I wait for the flight. This is kind of boring. I brought a small computer though. I could maybe write in a journal, or play a game, or read. I have several things to study. It's too frustrating, I can't concentrate on any tasks anyway. I hate that feeling, where I'm feeling sorry for myself. That man, telling me what to do. This place, with all these people. I don't like crowds of unfamiliar people and this strange area. It makes me feel insignificant in comparison. Not only that, but I know people are watching my every move. I am sure this means I won't be able to take my finals test on time. Maybe I'll be taking it in space. Every little minor thing is getting on my nerves.

An attendant spoke to me, "Miss? Princess? Miss?" I was off in my own little world. I looked up, it was a young man in a space flight uniform. Very shiny... he looked kind of attractive if he wasn't trying to hurry me along. He looked impatient.

"Yes?" I replied in an annoyed tone, still feeling overwhelmed. He then directed me where to go, and I boarded the flight. There was a huge line actually, and even in the crowd, I felt alone.

The flight itself seemed to take forever. I was sitting besides some people I didn't know. Everyone was glancing at me and chattering. I wished I'd see someone familiar. I had some strange feelings, like, what if this isn't the right airship to lead to the place I'm supposed to go to. What if the station itself falls? I'm nervous.

I was being herded like a commoner, like all the business people and administrators. Some of them could have been my own staff but I don't even know. I'm the only faerie in sight too. Almost everyone else is a human. There may have been a few elves.

I overhear now that the ship is docking aboard the Sophia, the station that will be leaving the planet's orbit. The conductors are taking people in order to the exits. Pretty soon it's my turn. I hope the crowd thins soon. It's so packed in there.

People are leaving all around me. I hear a tone, it sounds like I'm getting a call on my computer. What a heck of a time for that. I go ahead and flip it open again. It says it's from Sophia High Command. I kind of wonder if that's true, although it might make sense I'd get a message, what if it's a trick or a spam? It could be someone making fun of me. I'll never know though, unless I answer. I push the accept button.

I hear the voice but there's no image yet. "Miss Striking, your highness. Please accept this map file. This will inform you of your destination and let you know where various facilities are. There will be a guard coming to meet you at point A on the map." I was given the option of whether to accept the file. I suppose if this is a bad file I can always just reset my computer. I always keep my files backed up in case. I went ahead and accepted it.

I answered, "Alright, I have the file now. Who are you? Why can't I see the image?" The map appeared after a short download. The reply from the High Command, "My apologies, Your Highness, the video on this computer hasn't been in working order lately. I am the captain of the ship, and I have to admit I'm not always good with technology."

"So, you're Captain Johnson? I suppose when we meet in person I'll know what you sound like."

His reply, "Ah, yes. But that will be later. There will be a meeting with all of the officers and division leaders and I will present you to everyone. Even though you're in practice just one of the science students, you are also the highest ranking official from the Imperial government. I'll have more time to explain later. Please meet up with the guard I've assigned you. One of our staff will accompany him. Thank you for downloading the map, and we'll look forward to seeing you later." The call ended.

Hmm... Well, at least I can search this map and learn where to go. It looks like some background information about the ship and the missions are loaded too. I'm starting to feel tired, I don't load it up to read just yet. I'm concentrating on the map, and to see where I need to make my turns.

I'm now walking through the hallways. People are staring. I don't recognize the people around me. Where are my own servants? Strangely I am relying on my own skills to check the map and read the signs to get to where I'm going. This is like a test, too. Finally I find the point A. I don't see a guard yet.

So now I am looking for the next point. Things feel surreal, as if I'm not really there. Nothing seems familiar.

Finally, I have found one of my servants. I recognize her! I feel relieved to find someone I know. I have forgotten her name, but I feel a certain familiarity when I see her. She is in a maid's uniform, an Asian lady with short dark hair. I have many servants, and they come and go, but this is one that has been in the background since I was a small child. I wonder how long she's been watching over me.

She noticed that I had arrived and talked to me, "Your Highness. Please, follow me."

I see her, and followed her to my room. However, soon I will be meeting strangers, so I'm still anxious. He said there would be a guard, and someone else along with the guard, and then I'll have to talk to a bunch of leaders. This is the sort of thing I would rather just delegate to others. Unfamiliar people are scary. I am a little mad at myself for being nervous to meet new people, after all I am a princess. I ought to feel secure in myself and not have social anxiety.

The maid let me in to my room, following me in. She asked me, looking concerned, "Mistress, are you feeling alright?"

I answer her, "Ah, sorry... there has been a lot of things happening quickly. I know I've seen you before... What is your name again?"

She replies, "I am called Hitomi, mistress. Please rest here. There will be some time before your meeting with the others. Is there anything I can do to make you more comfortable?"

I think for a bit. "No, sorry, Hitomi. I think I just need a little nap."

I felt very tired, and quickly set down my bags. I'm sure more of my possessions will be taken here by servants later, but I didn't let that be any concern to me, I just found the bed and lied down. I didn't even undress, or turn the lights off. Hitomi was still there, and I started to drift away. Her presence was comforting, as if I knew she had been watching me for a long time.

Suddenly, I realize that I'm floating. I feel as if I am standing in the sky. Nothing is below me, or above me. Just the dark sky, and stars. Time itself seemed to be stopped. But I'm not alone. Someone else is in front of me. It's someone who has always been there. I'm dreaming, but it seems real at the same time.

A young lady with long, light blue hair. Her entire body seems to glow with light. She speaks softly. Her words seem not so much spoken as they are echoing in my mind directly, without the need for something like sound. Telepathy... I've heard about such a thing, but this might be the first time experiencing it. One day I will be able to do this. "My daughter..."

Daughter? That's me? ... well, that's what I'm thinking. She seems to hear me thinking, or she is good at reading my expression. I decide to say it out out. "Am I your daughter? But, I'm the princess of faeries..."

She replies, in the same kind of speech that echoes, "Dear Faye, you are your father's daughter, and I am your mother. I'm Goddess Kandy. Soon my thoughts will be awake in you, even while you are awake."

I am startled, not because I don't believe her, but because I do. It's different than what I thought, and the truth of her words can't be denied. I talk to her, "I'm not mother's?"

She replies in my mind, "No... I assumed her form since she was unable to conceive. You are not the daughter of Queen Gloria but she and your father knew. You were never told, but you must have suspected. The time of my awakening is coming, and you will know my thoughts. There will be many trials..."

I don't understand... What are your thoughts? Trials? I didn't form the words but I was slowly waking up. Was it just a dream? It felt real. The room I woke up was the same one I fell asleep in, but it wasn't familiar. Soon I will be on a far away trip. I thought the Goddess Kandy was a legend the faeries believed in. Am I just stressed out? Why would I be the daughter of such a being? I have other things to worry about, and my mind comes up with this. But why did that dream seem so real? The cat spoke to me earlier too. Also about a Goddess...

The goddess will awaken. What a troubling thought.

Many people will be disturbed when this happens.

Am I losing my mind? If a goddess awakens, and I'm hearing voices... I must be going crazy. It must be the stress of going into space. I'm all alone except for the servants I recognize. Like Hitomi. She's watching over me, even here. Come to think of it, she's always been there. Will she be alright when the goddess awakens? I didn't used to believe in a goddess... a faerie tale? I'm a faerie myself but the old tales seemed fabricated...

I've been studying my magic, both the history and the practice of magic. I also study science, the human's area of expertise. For too many it's like a choice between reason and mysticism. But for me, I feel the two must be blended. I've lived among humans, going to school with them. All my life I bring an ancient and a modern world with me. I intend to excel as the heir to the empire. There's no other way to end the age old conflicts. Which is better? Magic? Science? No... it's the balance between the two. What we cannot understand, and what we can repeat predictably. We struggle so much with what we cannot know, and what we do know.

A goddess is more of a magical artifact than a scientific one. Even I have doubts... but in my dream I believed and now that I'm awake I still believe. Although I even doubt myself now. I may be out of my mind.

I'm glad Hitomi is here. She's only a human too, but she has dedicated her life to me. I've really begun to notice her lately, especially since we have taken this trip.

I'm really going to leave the moon. This room will be my home, and this colony will launch and lift off, beginning a long journey which will not end until I'm an adult. I won't be a student anymore. I wonder what my role in this journey is going to be.

The next morning, I'm thinking about what's coming soon. I am about to meet some guard.. probably a human. I get nervous around human males. I think that they want to capture me, more than likely. Males in general maybe.

Faeries have a thing called glamour. It makes us attractive, regardless of our looks. Although my looks are not in a bad way either. I am very gifted in fact, and I'm becoming an adult fast. So I feel a bit conscious of myself, and the stares of other people. I'm in a completely new place as well. I'm nervous. Although I'm sure the consequences of assaulting a princess would be felt, even if the influence of the kingdom was winding down.

I am in an unfamiliar place, and I am not sure what I am supposed to do. I check my email and look at the file attached for the map. Feeling sleepy, I made myself get up and get ready. It was soon the appointed time.

My maid was still asleep, I wonder if she was worried about me. Something about her made me think I should have been noticing her all this time. Hitomi looked very tired last night, and she was still in her maid uniform. I changed my clothes and then Hitomi woke up and started brushing my hair. She didn't say anything but I felt comfortable with her helping me.

Still feeling like I was waking from a dream, I called up the map from the handheld computer. It brought up the hallways and marked where I was. I showed Hitomi the map and she nodded. "I will see the way, mistress," she said. I let her lead me through the turns in the hallways. I felt taken care of. She seemed like an older sister.

Finally, we reached the meeting room. There was a big door, and it looked like there were some men there, already sitting down.

When I walked into the room and looked around, they got up from their seat. They were young adult men, could have been like some of the men I thought were watching me before. Both of them had long, dark hair. They looked neat but yet kind of rough, like they were used to dealing with tough customers. The one on the left spoke.

"Your highness," he said in greeting, politely.

"Good afternoon." I replied, still feeling a little awkward meeting the grown up human strangers. But I don't want to seem too weak or they'll think they can bully a little girl. I am trying to keep as tough an aura of confidence as I can project. I'm glad Hitomi is nearby.

"My name is Trent. I have been assigned to be your guardian. Tommy, from the ship's security department is here with me."

I replied, "I'm Faye Striking.. I'm a science student, and I was asked to assist for this mission."

Trent and Tommy both took their seats again, so I sat down at the table facing them too. I feel a little bit more relaxed, but still a little anxious. What do they want with me anyway?

He responded, "You're our princess too. I've been charged with your safety so me and this guy here will be nearby you all the time now."

I asked, "Are you with the kingdom?"

"No, I'm an outsider who has been brought in here. Tommy is with the ship's crew so he's looking after everyone here but your safety is our priority." He responded, seeming more at ease than before.

So I had to ask him, "What is the danger here anyway? Isn't this a group of scientists?"

Trent continues, "Well, scientists are just one group of the people who are going to be living on this colony. This is actually a city sized shipped ship with a self contained economy and resources. There will be police, food preparers, folks working on the utilities, the ones running the computer network, everything we need to continue the mission and sustain life out there."

His answer sounded confident, but it made me wonder how a project like this got so far without people outside really noticing. Why would they need me?

"So there might be someone who wants to hurt me or go against our mission, or some other reason?" I answered.

"There might be, or someone who doesn't like that you're a faerie, or that you're young, or a princess. When you get this many people together in one place, they're not going to see eye to eye on everything." I suppose that's true...

The other young man spoke next. "I'm Tommy, and I'm in the security department. Kind of like a police officer. I'm supposed to keep an eye on you too, but there are other areas around here that are my responsibility too. Trent is specially assigned to be looking after you in particular."

I looked at him next, and tried to smile, although I still feel awkward around these guys. I'm replying, "Good to know. I'm sure I'm in safe hands."

I got my handheld computer ready and traded contact info with them, and we said thanks for the meeting. I was free to go, and Hitomi followed me out. I felt a little better now that at least that is done, for now. There are more people to have to meet, and the way is still unfamiliar, but it's progress.

Now I think I'm getting used to this new ship. Hitomi and myself are walking the halls and looking at the map on my handheld computer to confirm where we are. I am assuming the guards we met earlier are nearby observing where I go, but I don't see them anymore. Hopefully I am not challenged by anyone I meet. Even though I am the princess I am not really that good at dealing with people I don't know that well. This is a different setting than school, and I'm out of my element.

This place seems so human. The artifacts are more material than magical. Human science has advanced farther than I realize. There are many things I have only read about being actively used. I'm good with computers, and books. Concepts I get. Actual practice though? I'm gaining the actual experience here as I go. It's valuable but how come any time I feel like I'm learning I also feel like a big fool? The humans here are used to these machines and displays and readouts everywhere.

The crowds also make me feel a little nervous. There are so many of them and so little of me. I am just one faerie girl, even if I am a princess.