Isaac and I were in the operations center inside the ship, silently observing the outside displayed on the hologram in the middle of the room. The field of view was large, similar to a third-person tactical display, and we could see in a 360 angle by simply rotating the hologram.
Outside, the sky was clear with no clouds covering the bright sun. It was a pity I hadn't had the chance to yet grasp the sight of the two moons, however I could see two or three planets, although very small. Indeed, the solar system of this world was quite special if compared to Earth's. Isaac had once told me in one of his "worldly classes" that it was composed of no less than 20 habitableplanets that somehow didn't interact with each other in the slightest, as if their mass was negligible, and were even so close that they could be seen as a small tennis ball in the sky.
Apparently, some astronomers had speculated that these planets were the other worlds from 100 to 60 in the Hierarchy, but since they couldn't risk going to space and breach the energy field that protected Nebula, they couldn't verify this theory.
However, the two moons that gravitated around our planet were different. They were accessible! But not in the way one might think. Only when the centers of one moon, sun and Nebula, align will a magical gateway open to cross the energy field and space to set foot on one moon. It's an eclipse basically, so even if there are two moons, it would still be a very rare occurrence.
The denizens of Neldaria called that phenomenon the Galvanis and it would be a day where all conflicts are halted in order to unite and explore the two moons. The reason being that in those celestial bodies lay many monsters and materials that could not be found down here.
Well, that's enough worldly information for today, and it seemed like we were closing in on our destination...
"Isaac, what's that big city over there?" I inquired pointing at the hologram that displayed a forest of buildings that expanded for dozens of kilometers below the airship. Most of those buildings stood tall but had various shapes ranging from unusual tree-shaped to earth-like cuboids.
"That's a city state, little girl." He paused before calmly explaining, "It is an independent state with its own army and ruler that prospered quietly without participating in any conflicts. If I remember correctly, it was named Cassigny..?" He ended his words in suspense, trying to recall the forgotten name of this city.
Listening to his explanation, I immediately though of Liechtenstein, 'They were neutral too and didn't partake in any conflicts...' well that was my sole argument since I didn't know much about that Cassigny city anyway.
I didn't let Isaac any more time to ponder and asked, curious about our destination. "So will we be landing there? Honestly, I'm tired from being holed up in this poorly decorated facility, sitting all day long. I need some fresh air."
Redirecting his expressionless gaze toward me, he replied monotonously, "No, we can't risk being discovered nor can we afford to waste precious time and ressources. Activating and deactivating our stealth mode consumes a considerable amount of power."
I pouted and questioned once again with a dejected voice. "Then when will we be arriving in that Neldaria empire?"
"Approximately eight hours." He responded curtly, not wanting to pursue this meaningless conversation.
I could kind of understand him though, he was probably in a bad mood because of what happened with David...
I myself still felt bad about it since it was kind of my fault he had to... sacrifice himself. However I couldn't picture any outcome where he lost and died.
...
'Even if one of his arms was blown off...'
With this self-reassuring, I stood up from my sit, which attracted a curious gaze from Isaac, then I left without glancing back.
I decided to stroll around the ship, on a whim, for no reason but to pass time.
The pure identical corridors were the same as last time, every room was as empty as the other except for a few.
I first went to scavenge on the storage room, see if I hadn't missed anything that might be interesting, but all that I found were the same rebars and simple clothing along with canned food.
I took one of the latter and resumed my journey across the ship of eternal white. Although the taste of the food was somewhat dull, it served its purpose in filling up my stomach.
The second room I visited was the lab where the now empty pod I was in stood majestically. I made my way toward the research table and skimmed through the endless stacks of documents, partially reading them. At least the contents entertained my thoughts.
They explained thoroughly the method of imparting the genes of a monster into a living human with the best adaptation rate possible. Nevertheless, even though the phrases were clear and concise, I couldn't understand a thing when the words were put together.
The language of scientists was truly complicated.
Thus giving up on understanding, I exited the lab room and headed toward my next destination. The expansive room where I first met Lothair Cartheyia as a hologram.
The vessel was so big that it took me a whole thirty minutes to arrive, although I did have lost my way.
Unsurprisingly, the place was unchanged, with the grand circular table in the middle, the rows of electronic devices and shut down monitors, unending cables that seemed to be connected to every piece of this place. Every time I had witnessed the technology of this world, I couldn't help but marvel at how incredible it was, the same as in those movies I saw and books I read back on Earth...
Nostalgia unexpectedly filled my heart. Albeit I was a nobody who had only sought pleasure in games and was completely broke, the simple life I lived sufficed in my confort and every single thing I achieved, easy or hard, would wash over me with a refreshing and rewarding feeling.
A low sigh escaped my lips, like a breath that expired the sadness within me.
I slowly sat on a nearby wheeled chair, closed my eyes and began circling around with no particular purpose.
I did not feel boredom, only longing for the future, I was self-reflecting, and letting my mind rest from all the horrors I've already been through.
Finally, for the first time in a while, I felt peace.
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[A/N]
After a long pause, here comes finally the first chapter of the second Arc. The world will start getting bigger and the stakes higher.
I hope you will be enjoying the world of my imagination.