The International Space Station drifts silently above Earth, completing another orbit as sunlight spills through the Cupola windows. Inside, the familiar hum of life support and computers never really stops—constant, comforting, a reminder that every system is doing exactly what it's supposed to.

Most of today's work is already behind me. A few experiment logs remain open on the tablet in front of me, but they've been sitting untouched for several minutes.

Instead, I'm floating near one of the station's windows, one foot tucked beneath a restraint, absently watching continents drift beneath us. Cities glitter along the night side of the planet before disappearing into dawn just minutes later.

I let out a quiet breath, pushing gently away from the window to drift through the station's narrow module, catching a handrail with practiced ease. Another ordinary day aboard the ISS.

At least... that's what I keep telling myself.