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Foreign and welcome to sleept. Stories Shout Outs and Birthday messages are such a special part of our show. They're our way of celebrating the families who make bedtime extra magical, whether by supporting the show or or simply by being part of our listening community. Happy Birthday Idries from Nana and Papa, Greg and Otto and Sally. Happy Birthday to Frankie who is turning 9 on March 4th. You are such a ray of sunshine and your sister Indy thinks you're a sleigh queen. Big birthday kisses from Mama and Papa. Happy Birthday to Luke from Seattle. Seeing you grow is such a joy. Mom, dad and your sister Ona are proud of your contagious energy and creativity. Happy Birthday to Loren from Dublin, Ireland who turns nine on March 5th. We love you so much. Love Mama, Dada, Pandy and Teddy. Happy seventh Birthday to E. Tai Altman, the kid with the strongest left foot in California. We adore you. Love Mom, Dad, Tal, Matan and monkey. Happy 6th birthday to Iommi Rose Bird. Your family is so proud of you and loves you very much. Happy 8th birthday to Jorge Benedicto in Lograno, Spain. Mommy, Liam, Grandma and Grandpa love you so much. You're such a special kiddo. Keep up the love for theater, drone flying and your silly pranks. Happy Birthday to Mimi and Lulu whose birthdays are on March 5th and March 7th. We are so proud of how kind, loving and brave you both are. It's been a joy watching you grow and and we are so lucky to have the privilege of being your parents. Love Mommy, Daddy, Gus and pumpkin. And happy 10th birthday to Sawyer on March 6th. We love you very much. Love Mommy, Daddy, Callie Bronson and all the dogs. Happy Birthday to you all and thank you for supporting the show. If you'd like to support our podcast and enjoy ad free episodes, unlock bonus stories and so much more, you can join sleept Premium subscribe in just two taps via the link in the show Notes. Now on to our story. We hope you've enjoyed these glimpses into Red's world with the Transfer Student Vignettes. This month, the continuation of the Transfer Students series arrives, bringing more mysteries, more discoveries, and more of Red and the Gang as they navigate the secrets hidden in plain sight. Are you ready to uncover what happens next? Join us as the journey continues. Red, Blue and her mother have finally arrived at Earth, and Red is nervous but also a little excited about what is coming. The Transfer Student the Arrival Part two Red felt heavy. The ship's systems were shutting down and for the first time in a month, she was experiencing the full effect of a planet's gravity. The ship's manufactured gravity, had been designed for comfort rather than realism, easing their transition from Mars to Earth. But now her limbs felt sluggish, her movements clumsy. Blue, of course, was the exact opposite. He bounced in his seat, barely able to contain his excitement. Take me to your leader, he announced in a strange voice. I heard that in an Earth movie once, he added with a grin. Red wanted to roll her eyes, to call him a stinker or something else appropriately insulting, but she couldn't quite bring herself to do it. No matter how hard she tried to suppress it, she felt excited. She didn't want to be here, but she couldn't deny the reality of what was happening on Mars. Every child dreamed of exploring the planets, of setting foot on a new world. And here they were actually doing it. If only they had a return ticket. As the final landing vibrations faded, the ship's outer doors hissed as their locking mechanisms disengaged. A deep mechanical groan followed, reverberating through the walls as the heavy metal ramp lowered to the surface. No one could see what was outside just yet, at least not from their position. The module they occupied was at the bottom of the ship, enclosed by double walls. A fail safe, Red assumed, in case something went wrong. But the moment the ramp touched the ground, the inner doors slid open with a sharp hiss, and a rush of cold air flooded the module. It was sharp and biting, carrying scents Red had never encountered before. Damp soil, something crisp and metallic, like minerals and an underlying musk she couldn't quite place. The brightness was overwhelming after the dim glow of the ship's interior. Red squinted, instinctively shrinking back, her eyes struggling to adjust. Even Blue went quiet for a moment. Around her, the other passengers stirred, unbuckling their harnesses and stretching stiff limbs weighed down by Earth's gravity. The hum of whispered voices grew, anticipation rippling through the group. Then a calm, authoritative voice cut through the noise. Welcome, everyone. It's time to disembark. The temperature outside is significantly lower than what we've been used to, so I recommend moving quickly to the shelter. Once inside, we'll begin the adaptation process for your transition to Earth. Blue jumped up, his moment of awe already forgotten. I hope they have food. I'm starving. You're always starving, you stinker, red muttered as she braced herself for the cold. Have to keep up my energy if I'm going to explore the whole planet. Blue shot back with a grin. And you're the stinker. Can we just go? Red mumbled, shivering. It won't be much longer, their mother assured her softly. Her eyes looked toward the opening, her expression half awe, half apprehension, and for the first time Red wondered if even her mother, who had always been so sure about this move, was feeling the weight of what they had done. It was finally their turn to disembark, and Red went first. She stepped forward hesitantly, the cold air still seeping through her clothes. Why hadn't they been given warmer clothes? She grumbled to herself. Blue, of course, bounced impatiently behind her, practically vibrating with excitement. Their mother placed a steadying hand on his shoulder, a quiet reminder to stay composed. As they moved toward the exit, a line of figures stood waiting just beyond the threshold. AID agents. Their dark uniforms were stark against the snow dusted ground, their eyes sharp and and unreadable as they scanned each new arrival. Their posture was rigid, their presence unmistakably one of control. Red barely had time to take them in before one of the agents stepped forward, tablet in hand, and began quietly directing people into organized groups. The efficiency of it reminded Red of the arrival drills they had practiced back on Mars, procedural controlled with no room for error. She caught a glimpse of her mother just as they were being ushered forward. There it was, that flicker of something unreadable in her expression. Her mother had always been confident and reassuring, the one who framed everything as an opportunity. But as she exchanged a brief, tense glance with one of the agents, a woman with a severe expression and a silver insignia on her uniform, Red felt for the first time that there was more going on than she had been told. Before she could dwell on it, the line moved again, and Red found herself standing, standing at the very edge of the ramp, staring out at Earth for the first time. The air hit her like a shock, cold, crisp, almost too full of sensation. A sharp, clean scent filled her nose. Pine, damp soil, and something faintly smoky, like burning wood in the distance. She took an uncertain step forward, and beneath her boots the ground crunched strangely. Snow Red hesitated, staring down at was nothing like the dry, iron rich dust of Mars. This was soft, wet, and unfamiliar. She lifted her foot and saw the perfect imprint left behind the first mark she had ever made on Earth's surface. Blue laughed and stomped past her, kicking up snow as he ran ahead. Look, Red. It's everywhere. Red inhaled deeply, watching her breath form a visible cloud in front of her. The sensation was bizarre, watching the warmth of her own body become part of the air. She looked around, and for the first time Earth stretched out in full color before her, the green of the trees, the deep brown of the earth beneath the snow, the sheer brightness of the sky. It was all overwhelming. Too loud, too bright, too much. On Mars, everything had been muted, controlled. The habitat domes had soft, even lighting. The sky when viewed through a reinforced window was pale red. Dust swept familiar. But here the sky stretched endlessly blue and deep and vast in a way that made her feel anxious. A gust of wind stirred the branches, sending a flurry of snowflakes swirling through the air. Red's shoulders tensed at the sound. A rustling, shifting, unpredictable noise. It was different from the quiet hum of air recyclers, the steady clicks of machinery, and the structured order of life underground. The world here moved constantly in a way that made her uneasy. Somewhere in the distance, a bird called out, sharp and sudden. Red flinched. She felt ridiculous. Blue was already running ahead, fearless as ever, but she remained frozen in place, taking it all in. She wasn't ready for this. She wasn't sure she ever would be. Her mother placed a warm hand on her shoulder. It's a lot at first, she said gently. But you'll adjust. I promise. Red wasn't so sure. And then, just as she was about to take another step, she caught a glimpse of something or someone in the trees. A dark silhouette, motionless against the pale snow. She blinked and it was gone. A shiver ran down her spine, and this time it wasn't from the cold. Red glanced back at the ship, torn between two thoughts, one part of her wondering if she could just turn around and board again, demanding a return trip home. The other took a moment to appreciate where she had come from. The ship was massive, more imposing from the outside than it had ever, ever felt inside. It easily dwarfed everything around them, a silent giant resting in the snow. Keep up, Red, her mother said softly, then more firmly, blue, stay with us. Maybe if you let him run off, he'll be adopted by some wild animals and I won't have to put up with him anymore. Red muttered. Red. Her mother shot her a warning look. They were being led toward an unassuming entrance carved into the base of a massive rock face. The opening was just wide enough for three people to walk through. Side by side, members of the AID were stationed everywhere. Their sharp eyes scanned, scanning the group, ensuring that no one lingered too long or wandered into the woods. Red briefly wondered what might be lurking in those trees, wild animals watching them, hoping someone would stray from the group and become their next meal. Is that even a thing on Earth? The thought unsettled her more than she cared to admit. Stepping through the entrance, a blast of warm air hit her, offering instant relief from the biting cold outside. The group moved down a long, dimly lit corridor, the steady shuffle of footsteps echoing against the smooth walls. No one knew exactly what was next, only that adaptation would begin first as a group, then as individual families. There had been so much secrecy around the whole process that Red wasn't sure whether to feel nervous or just annoyed. At the end of the hallway, large metal doors loomed ahead. Above them, arrows pointed left. Red's eyes flicked toward the unmarked right side, a flicker of curiosity sparking in her mind. What's over there? But before she could dwell on it, the group was already moving through the doors, and she had no choice but to follow. Inside was a vast room with high ceilings and, to Red's surprise, completely gray walls. No overwhelming colors, no jarring blues or greens, just muted, familiar tones. Her shoulders instantly relaxed. Blue, however, was already off exploring. He had found the snack tables lining one wall and was putting food in his mouth like he hadn't eaten in. Once the room was full, the door slid shut behind them, and just like that, the speeches began. The speeches were exactly what Red had anticipated. Calm, measured, and carefully worded, a warm welcome wrapped in quiet authority. They spoke of adaptation, of a fresh start, of opportunity. But beneath the reassurances, there was something else, something unspoken. Their presence here was not just a relocation, but a carefully orchestrated secret blend in assimilate. Be unnoticed. The speaker's voice carried no threat, yet the message was clear. There was no going back. Their past was sealed away, their future already decided. Red barely listened. The words didn't change anything. She was here whether she wanted to be or not. What was the point in pretending otherwise? Beside her, Lou nodded along, completely engrossed. However, that might have had more to do with the snacks he was shoveling into his mouth than the speech itself. Their mother, on the other hand, stood still, her expression unreadable as she absorbed every word. If she felt any unease, she didn't let it show. After what felt like an eternity, the doors opened and they were led down another corridor, this one slightly warmer and more inviting. They stopped in front of a door with a small, colorless sign. Family unit 14B. A uniformed agent pressed a panel and the door slid open with a sign. Soft hiss. Inside was a compact but efficient living space. Two bunks against the far wall, a small table, a storage unit, and a narrow door that likely led to a private washroom. The walls were a soft gray, the same as the room before. It was completely neutral, designed to look somewhat similar to Mars. Blue wasted no time throwing his bag onto the top bunk and bouncing onto the mattress. Not bad. This bed is mine. Red dropped her bag on the floor, unwilling to claim anything just yet. She slowly stepped into the room, running her hand along the smooth metallic wall. This was it. Their new life. No red dust. No domed ceilings showing the stars above. No familiar hum of Mars underground tunnels. Red, pick a bed, please, their mother said gently. Red sat on the lower bunk. She wasn't tired, but she suddenly felt exhausted. She unzipped her bag and looked inside. The few things she had brought from Mars were carefully packed. An old study pad, a small chip filled with books, and the single photograph of their family before their father had stayed behind. She hesitated before closing it again. She knew she would have to give up the pad and chip. No technology allowed Everything in this room, in this place, felt temporary. But this was supposed to be permanent. Do you think dad will ever come? Red asked suddenly. There was a pause. Then their mother sighed. Maybe one day. Red doubted it. Blue yawned loudly. I hope the food here is better than the ship's. That stuff was gross. Red smirked despite herself. Some things never change. Red closed her eyes for a nap. The future felt uncertain, but one thing was clear. Earth wasn't Mars. And no matter what the aid said, she wasn't ready to leave her past behind. And that is the end of our story. Good night. Sleep tight.