The famous Certi restaurant in Capital Prime city was abuzz with the chatter of students from all years, enjoying their food and engaging in lively discussions.


    It was one of those rare days off from training and sses, and everyone there was taking full advantage of it.


    The aroma of delicious food wafted through the air, mingling with the sounds ofughter and clinking sses.


    On arge holographic screen mounted on the wall, a popr TV show yed, captivating the audience.


    The scene was just about to reach its climax, the moment everyone had been waiting to discover the identity of the real killer.


    But suddenly, the screen flickered, and the show was interrupted by an urgent broadcast.


    The restaurant''s atmosphere quickly shifted from excitement to annoyance.


    "We''reing to you live with breaking news!"


    The anxious looking news anchor on the broadcast started speaking.


    "Fuck off bitch! Put the show back on!"


    "Yeah!"


    The disgruntled murmurs grew louder as students expressed their frustration.


    The restaurant staff were a little flustered, speaking before things got to out of hand.


    "The TV broadcaster itself did this! We can''t even change the channel for some reason!"


    Some students even stood up, ready to leave the restaurant in protest of the interruption.


    "The Federation has just been attacked!"


    The words froze everyone in their tracks.


    Conversations stopped mid sentence, forks and sses were set down, and all eyes turned to the screen in shock.


    The news anchor, aposed woman trying to hide her anxiety continued with a grave expression.


    "Reports areing from the border. Our defences have been overwhelmed by a fleet numbering over a hundred million ships strong. The casualties are immeasurable right now, and the destruction they have caused since the dawn of their attack is catastrophic."


    Images began to sh on the screen, each more harrowing than thest.


    Bordersy in ruins, their cities reduced to rubble.


    Federation ships, once symbols of strength and security, now floated lifelessly in space, torn apart by the relentless assault.


    The anchor''s voice carried over the grim visuals.


    "The Red Demon race first dered war on us just less than half a year ago with their daring broadcast of the Pioneer expedition group''s ughter."


    "And now, after just over 5 months, they haveunched a full scale invasion."


    "Our forces are struggling to mount a defence because of how spread out they are across the federation. The situation is dire."


    "Civilian evacuations are underway for the systems near the border, but the sheer scale of the attack is making it difficult to ensure everyone''s safety."


    A video clip of a Red Demon ship, colossal and menacing, unleashing a devastating barrage on a Federation cruiser.


    The cruiser exploded in a blinding sh of light, sending debris and bodies spiralling through the void.


    Another clip depicted refugees being herded into emergency shuttles, their faces etched with fear and despair.


    "The federation highmand has issued a state of emergency. All avable military personnel are required to report to their nearest base."


    "Citizens in the inner systems are advised to carry on your lives as normal and await further instructions. If you are watching this from a within 1000 light years of the border, please head to your nearest evacuation point."


    "This is a dark day for our Federation, for the human race. But we must remain strong and united."


    The screen shifted to a map of the gxy, highlighting the points of attack and the advancing Red Demon fleet.


    The scale of the invasion was staggering, with red markers indicating enemy ships pushing past every barricade the human race set up.


    ***


    Back at the university, rms red throughout the halls, buildings and everywhere else that could be considered university grounds.


    Students and staff alike froze, their previous activities forgotten in the face of this sudden rm.


    Most of the students, including Alex and Mira, were left confused as they didn''t know what this rm meant, nor did they see the broadcast.


    The staff though, were a little more informed, and their faces were grave.


    rms like this one only went off all throughout the university when something very, very serious had urred.


    Alex nced at Mira, confusion etched across his face. "Do you have any idea what''s going on?"


    Mira was more in the loop with university activities so he thought that she might know something about this rm.


    But it seemed not.


    Mira shook her head, her eyes wide with confusion. "No, but it sounds serious. We should head outside and see if we can get some answers."


    They joined the stream of students flooding out of the training centre, their expressions a mix of concern and curiosity.


    The usually vibrant and bustling campus was now filled with the sound of rms and the anxious murmurs of students.


    As Alex and Mira made their way through the throng of confused and worried students, they noticed one student standing apart from the rest, his expression much more grave than those around him.


    He was fixated on hismunicator, his face pale and tense.


    Alex nudged Mira and gestured toward the student.


    "Let''s ask him if he knows what''s going on."


    They approached the student, who didn''t even look up as they drew near.


    Alex cleared his throat to get his attention.


    "Hey, do you know what this ruckus is about?"


    The student finally looked up, his eyes filled with a mix of fear and disbelief.


    He didn''t answer their question, but instead moved hismunicator so that Alex and Mira could see the screen.


    "Just watch…"


    On the screen, the broadcast continued to y.


    The images and videos of the destruction caused by the invasion were now the main focus.


    Footage of devastated cities,s, and fallen ships filled the screen, each scene more horrific than thest.


    The news anchor''s voice was sombre as she recapped the grim details.


    "The Red Demon race''s fleet, numbering over a hundred million warships, has breached our defences and is wreaking havoc across our border systems."


    "Casualties are staggering — currently standing at over 10 billion in thest 30 minutes, and the numbers keep climbing every second."


    "The federation''s forces are spread too thin to mount an effective defence."


    Alex and Mira stared at the screen, their hearts sinking as the gravity of the situation became clear.


    The headline scrolling across the bottom read: "Federation Under Attack: Red Demon Invasion."