Commander Aerin Voss stood at the edge of the city wall, her eyes fixed on the transformed sky above.
The stars were brighter now. Brighter than they had ever been. They pulsed with an intensity that was almost painful to look at. The moon was larger, closer, its craters smoothed over as if someone had sanded them away. The air was warm and perfect, carrying a scent of flowers that had never bloomed in this season.
It was beautiful. It was perfect. And it was terrifying.
"The Perfector," she whispered. "It's remaking the world. Making it perfect."
Commander Marcus stood beside her, his face pale and drawn. "But we liked the world the way it was. We liked the flaws."
"I know." Aerin's voice was heavy. "That's why we have to stop it."
---
Aerin ran to the research lab, her mind racing
