Origin Of A Teenage Space Bandit

The entire station seemed to have fallen into chaos, in contrast to its normally strict regimen. Alarms were blaring, crew members were scrambling, and Cece was being dragged by her mother down the long, metallic corridors as fast as her legs could carry her.

"Mom," she gasped, trying not to trip as they turned a corner and found themselves outside her parents' lab. "What's going on?"

Dr. Phillips pushed her daughter into the lab and scrambled to seal the door again. "We're under attack." She said, in a tone that seemed much calmer than her actions.

"What?!" Cece trailed at her mother's heels as she pushed boxes of equipment, notes, and spare parts aside until she found what she sought. "By who?!"

"No time to explain, I'm afraid." Dr. Phillips pulled a small device from one of the boxes and strapped it to her daughter's wrist. "Your father and I are trusting you with this, Cecelia. Do not let anyone get it. Or you, for that matter."

Cece could only stare as her mother began to program the device, attempting to process what she had just heard as the sounds of weapons firing grew louder out in the hall. "Mom, what are you --?"

She was cut off by a shout that sounded like it was just outside the lab door. Dr. Phillips frantically hit one last button on the wristband's screen. A tearing sound joined the chaos outside as a rift opened behind Cece.

Dr. Phillips hugged her daughter tightly, kissing the side of her head. "I'm sorry, Darling. You'll have to figure the rest out on your own. I love you."

Dr. Phillips pushed Cece through the rift. She would stumble out on a planet she couldn't yet identify, alone, and with the universe at her fingertips.