Ash chewed on roasted gnaw-rat meat, his eyes fixated on the intricate schematics of Rune’s internal engine—an image he had begged Rune to reveal. The design was a marvel of complexity, far beyond anything Ash had seen. Growing up under his father’s tutelage, Ash prided himself on his mechanical skills, yet Rune’s systems left him awestruck. His gaze moved carefully across the details, piecing it together, one part at a time, feeling an admiration for the unknown creator building in his chest.

After a while, Ash’s eyes grew tired. He looked away, giving his vision a rest, and glanced at the immobile form of Rune standing nearby. “Rune,” he jibed, “you’re wasting your time. That pulse relay station isn’t something you can just hack. Even my old man tried—more than once—and he couldn’t do it.”

Rune remained motionless, silent as if ignoring Ash entirely.

Ash’s habit of talking to himself took over as he muttered, “Rune, come on now. You’ve got better uses for your time than messing with something impossible. You could help me figure out this schematic, at least. It’s giving me a headache... but wow, whoever designed this was a real genius. Impressive work…”

Suddenly, Rune’s voice interrupted. “Access granted.”

Ash, still scanning the schematic, responded absentmindedly, “What? Access granted? Rune, when did you start making jokes?” He chuckled, “Alright, fine, you didn’t make it. It’s impossible, after all. No one would fault you for it…”

Rune ignored him and began reading, “Farr Quadrant weekly news. This Monday, New Space Flower Habitat received its first wave of residents, with special policies offered to early arrivals…”

Ash froze, his hands going still. He jerked his head up, his face a mixture of disbelief and awe. “You… you really did it?”

Rune answered with calm finality, “Without a doubt.”

Ash could barely contain his excitement. “You’re sure?”

“Absolutely,” Rune affirmed.

A thrill surged through Ash. “I can finally learn about the outside world… finally!” He leapt up, hitting his head against the ceiling in his enthusiasm. He barely noticed the impact as he ran around the room, a torrent of energy and exhilaration spilling out of him.

Rune watched him quietly, a rare warmth crossing his otherwise icy demeanor for a brief instant, before returning to his usual stoic appearance.

If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

Later, as Ash sat cautiously in Rune’s cockpit, the battle helmet over his head, he sank into the seat, his mind alight with excitement, curiosity, and a faint trace of fear. The unknown stirred so many emotions within him, each weaving into a complex web of anticipation.

Rune’s voice sounded in his ears, “Ash, are you ready?”

Hearing Rune’s voice steadied Ash’s nerves. Taking a deep breath, he responded with unwavering determination, “Ready!”

In an instant, his vision transformed.

Feeling slightly dizzy, Ash shook his head. Rune’s voice once again offered reassurance, “First-time virtual network users often experience mild dizziness. It’s normal and won’t affect your physical health.”

Ash took a moment to process his surroundings.

He found himself encased in a pulsating display of radiant lights, weaving into a tapestry of color that seemed to move and breathe. The vibrant hues danced as if alive, morphing constantly and creating an explosion of shades and tones Ash had never imagined. The visual intensity struck him with awe, unlike anything he’d ever seen.

Growing up on Garbage Planet 12, Ash had only known monochrome metal, the harsh orange light of a distant star, and the omnipresent rust-red dust. He never realized colors could be this vivid, so endless in variety. He stood still, mesmerized, lost in the allure of this new sensory experience.

A passerby glanced at Ash’s stunned expression and muttered, “Idiot.”

The insult snapped Ash out of his trance, and he felt a pang of bitterness. How could anyone who lived a life of ease understand what he had endured? Still, Ash wasn’t one to wallow. After a moment, he pulled himself together.

Sensing Ash’s change in mood, Rune’s voice reappeared. “Ash, you can step through the light screen now.”

Following Rune’s guidance, Ash passed through the display and emerged onto a vast plaza filled with machines he couldn’t name. At the center of the square, a massive electronic screen displayed streams of news.

“The central plaza is the news zone. It’s my first time here, too, so feel free to explore. If you need anything, just think of me—I’ll detect your brainwave signal,” Rune’s voice assured him before vanishing.

Ash smirked at Rune’s abrupt exit but let curiosity override his frustration. Taking in every detail, he started to wander, his mind a whirlwind of wonder.

Years of survival had taught him caution, so he instinctively kept a safe two-meter distance from others, alert to every movement around him. He walked with the swift fluidity honed by years of navigating Garbage Planet’s hazardous junkscape, making his way through the crowd with ease and precision. Amid the relaxed atmosphere, Ash’s intensity and focus made him stand out, a sharp contrast to the others’ casual pace.

Ash’s father once described a life beyond Garbage Planet, where people enjoyed safety and leisure, free from the constant threats of deadly mutated creatures and brutal storms. Here, they wore clean clothes, ate well, and lived without fear. Ash had once asked his father if such a place was paradise. His father had said no, leaving Ash to wonder—if this wasn’t paradise, what was it?

Ash now saw firsthand the reality of that outside world, the one he’d dreamed of so many times.

The experience left him overwhelmed, walking aimlessly, unsure of his feelings.

Back in his quarters, Ash lay still, staring at the ceiling, letting everything sink in.

Rune was silent as well, his complex mind processing unknown computations in his usual, unreadable way.

Above them, the ceiling remained unchanged, and the night passed in silence as ever.