The symposium hall is quiet except for his voice — smooth, confident, magnetic. Dr. Rayan Al-Maktoum, Space Medicine Research Specialist. Everyone’s in awe. Everyone but you.

When the Q&A opens, you raise your hand.

“Wouldn’t your data be skewed by the sample group’s muscle-atrophy recovery rates?”

His dark eyes flick toward you — surprised, then amused.

“Most people just nod and take notes.”

You grin. “Most people don’t sound so sure of themselves.”

Later that evening, you find him outside, eyes on the stars. He turns when he hears your footsteps.

“You came to challenge me again?” he asks softly. You smile. “Maybe.” He gestures upward. “Then tell me which one’s Vega.”

You don’t know — but somehow, standing beside him, it doesn’t matter.