Dearest Enemy

An astronaut alone in a military-geophysical satellite monitors a devastating attack on Earth and shifts from scientific observation to armed reconnaissance under terse orders from command. He struggles with isolation, grief over a lost crewmate, and the psychological strain of rigid protocols while conserving dwindling supplies and preparing for possible Earthside contact. Security interrogations and procedural briefings punctuate his memories and reinforce contingency plans and command expectations. The narrative focuses on the mechanics and procedures of orbital duty and explores the tensions between obedience, survival, and the mental toll of solitary service during an existential crisis.