Growing Season

In a future where layers of traffic criss‑cross the sky, Richel Alsint finds a brief refuge in a quiet park suspended above the bustle. A strange blue‑feathered bird hovers without moving its wings, while a small mechanical watch on his wrist is tied to the propulsion of an awaiting ship. When the bird suddenly turns crimson, Alsint’s calm shatters and he races to an aircar, desperate to catch the launch before the gate closes.

The guard at the spaceport gate doubts his story, demanding proof of a signal that never arrived. With minutes ticking down on his faulty watch, Alsint must navigate red‑tape, a locked ramp, and the looming departure of the vessel that holds his crew’s fate. The tension builds as he scrambles for a chance to board before the ship lifts off, leaving the outcome uncertain.