1 A Momentary Brush with Death

Far in the vast, endless universe, myriad planets of diverse shapes drift. Among them, one radiated brilliance akin to pure jade. 

Breaking through the surface, a glass laboratory with peculiar equipment hovered in the air. Emblazoned in bold were three conspicuous letters marking the location - RJS Lab.

"3D to 2A, 15.00 segmenting thread, 90 degrees, no, 80, 70...yes, 37 degrees fits." A grey-haired man, donned in a thick pair of glasses and a white doctoral coat, was half-bent over a triangular computer screen, muttering to himself. His eyes were fixed on a horizontally-placed crystal box, veiled in mist on the surface, concealing something small within.

Jack, clad in a suit of iron armor, gently caressed the crystal box, a smile playing on his face. As the mist gradually dissipated, it revealed a tiny heart-shaped chip inside. 

"So, this is what has consumed our time and energy, and jeopardized our chance of romantic dates?" Serena, an exquisite-looking woman in a figure-hugging outfit that showcased her perfect silhouette, extended her hand to touch it, only to feel the firm grip of Jack.

"Why the rush?" Jack replied with a charming grin, his striking blue eyes tugging at the heartstrings of all women. "Wait until the last step is done, or all our efforts will be in vain."

Serena responded with an equally beautiful smile, then turned around, sneakily casting a glance at the distance outside the lab, as if anticipating something special to happen at this moment.

Then, the loud, rhythmic sound of beeping filled the air, accompanied by Robert's enormous exclamation of excitement, "We did it!" Out of instinct, he gave Jack a big hug of relief, all while Serena's eyebrows narrowed.

Bang! The glass wall shattered into a large hole, and dozens of men in black cloaks with laser machine guns stormed in. The leading one, gigantic in size, lunged directly at Robert.

Realizing the target was the crystal box, Robert swiftly hopped in front, using his body as a shield. A laser shot out, striking Robert directly on his right shoulder.

"Guard the box!" he hoarsely roared at Jack, with the little strength remaining inside him.

Jack and Serena skillfully evaded several more black-cloaked men who approached them, kicking them away in the process. Together, they rushed towards the box.

"Grab the chip!" the leading man bellowed at his soldiers. Almost instantly, the entire troop swiftly surrounded Robert.

Seeing that he had no way out, Robert clutched the crystal box, blood staining his injury, and pressed a button by his side. A door below him opened, and he was about to drop through it. The leading man in black instantly threw out a rope, tying it around Robert's neck and forcefully pulled him upwards, breaking his spine and stopping him from committing suicide with the precious item.

"Robert, why endure the pain? Just hand over the box, and you'll be fine."The leading man shook his head with a pretentious, pitiful tone and reached out for Robert's pocket. At that moment, a heavy club struck the leading man's outstretched arm, producing a clicking sound of fracture. In pain, the man withdrew the broken arm and saw Jack slipping the box out of Robert's pocket ahead of him.

The man's expression darkened, and he cursed, "You asked for this!" With those words, he raised the laser machine and aimed at Jack. Just as the laser was about to hit him, Jack suddenly felt a strong push from behind, causing the box to slip from his hands and fall directly through the broken glass wall, disappearing into the universe, swallowed by a thick layer of star clouds.

"Noooo!" The man desperately cried out, lifting his laser machine gun and venting his anger by sweeping shots at those within his sight.

-

On a wide highway on Earth, an expensive Aston Martin sports car was speeding along the sparsely populated road. Brandon Myles was seated at the steering wheel, sporting his usual calm expression on a face that resembled a sculpted silhouette with impeccable facial features. The roadside lamps intermittently illuminated him as they flickered on and off, while he listened to a phone conversation with his parents.

"Brad, are you home for dinner?" Mrs. Myles asked directly.

"Mom, just get to the point," Brandon replied with a flat tone.

"Alright then," Mrs. Myles sighed heavily. "We've talked to the HR manager at the Corps. You can start working here right after you graduate from City University. If you want to keep your identity low-key as the heir, you can opt for an intermediate position, say, Technology Director. How does that sound?"

"Once again, I don't like it," Brandon expressed his discontent. He was on the verge of ending the call when he heard his father chiming in. "See, Sarah, I told you our son has his own ideals. I will recall the notification from HR now."

Disregarding her husband's remark, Sarah Myles responded, "Brandon Myles, what's the point of working for others when your family is the wealthiest in the nation and runs a vast corporation? I just don't understand."

"As I said, I don't like it," Brandon reiterated.

"He doesn't want to do what he doesn't like!" Mr. Myles emphasized.

"What don't you like anyway? Money? Don't joke with me," Mrs. Myles replied irritably, displeasure growing within her.

"Let's just hear him out when he is home for dinner, sweetie. Don't try now. It is useless," Mr. Myles whispered to his wife, although heard clearly by Brandon.

Sighing, Brandon was about to hang up when he saw a large layer of star clouds in the sky appearing and approaching his direction, accompanied by rapidly searing red flashes. His eyes narrowed, falling into curious contemplation without hearing any more of what his parents were saying. As the clouds broke open and showed a crack, alarm arose inside him.

"It is not right," he thought, accelerating and trying to get rid of the shadow zone.

But it was too late. The crack widened quickly, and suddenly, something small fell and traveled through his sports car, piercing his body directly. The sports car flipped upside down due to the unexpected force, dragged a hundred meters along the roadside, and broke into two halves.

Lying amidst the deserted iron and steel, Brandon bore countless cuts, blood forming a pool around him.

With helplessness, he gazed into the vast sky, only to realize that the clouds were gone, and the crack had closed.

He felt life slipping away, bit by bit. He lacked even the strength to feel despair. Slowly and dreamily, he closed his eyes.

The silence was profound, akin to the embrace of death. Yet, in that stillness, emerged a faint sound reminiscent of a heartbeat—rhythmic and swift.

In a matter of seconds, Brandon's body, riddled with cuts, mended as swiftly as the fleeting flashes. Abruptly, a dazzling light enveloped the boy.

Then, he awoke, releasing a breath infused with vitality.