Life could change very fast. That was something Kai had learned all too well in recent times.
Just a year ago, at 25, he had graduated from university earlier than most of his peers. He had family, friends, and, like many his age, he was still figuring out what to do with his life.
Then the bombs fell.
The alarms blared throughout the city while most people were still asleep. But Kai wasn’t one of them. He had been awake, flipping through the latest issue of Ship Head, a popular magazine for spaceship enthusiasts. That night, he’d been engrossed in a debate over the merits of negative energy gravity generators versus electromagnetic gravity generators. Personally, he leaned toward the former.
He even had time to glance out the window before chaos erupted. In an instant, the city descended into panic. People were screaming, crying, and dying. It was sheer luck that Kai managed to escape the building he was in. And a miracle that he survived his way out of the city.
As the car he’d hitchhiked in emerged from a tunnel leading to open fields, he glanced back at the city. The driver, a middle-aged man, was crying silently. The child’s car seat in the back was empty, its absence telling a story too painful to share. Like Kai, the man had lost his family in the sudden and merciless attack.
Velmorra was a decently sized planet, big enough that the Empire couldn’t monitor every ship leaving its surface. But they didn’t need to. Their message to the Federation was clear. Velmorra was just another casualty in a long list of neutral planets the Empire had invaded to prove its power.
When Kai first arrived on Drakmoor, it was worse than he could have imagined. The planet seemed barren, its only valuable resources buried deep within the mines. Kai resigned himself to what he thought would be his new life—living in a small portable shack, risking his life underground, and dreaming of one day owning a ship of his own.
Then his life changed again.
Meeting Eliana was the best thing to happen to him since the bombs fell. She picked him up from the depths of despair and reminded him of the wonders still left to experience. She gave him hope and, most importantly, love.
Now, he had a purpose far greater than himself. If he put it in clichéd terms, the fate of the human race might very well rest on his shoulders. He was the one that discovered the buried ship left by what he now know was Earth. It told a story of a long forgotten danger. And it's was up to him to find out what it really was.
It was a burden, a heavy burden, and it was only growing heavier with each passing second.
Then he realized, the literal burden he felt was a pair of arms wrapping around his shoulders, pushing him down into the soft padding of the sofa he was sitting on.
“What are you thinking, Kai?” Eliana asked, her voice teasing as she hugged him from behind. “Daydreaming?”
Kai smiled softly, her warmth grounding him. “Yeah,” he admitted. “Something like that.”
The room they were in was unlike the formal space where Kai had first met Kevin. This one was much more inviting, with a warmth that blended seamlessly with the understated luxury characteristic of Kevin’s style.
The walls were paneled with rich, dark wood that gave the space a cozy feel, while discreetly embedded lighting bathed the room in a soft, golden glow. A plush cream-colored rug covered the polished stone floor, muffling footsteps and adding to the relaxed atmosphere. The centerpiece of the room was a large, low-slung coffee table made from a single slab of polished obsidian, its surface reflecting the gentle light.
Against one wall stood a built-in shelving unit filled with meticulously arranged books, a few artful sculptures, and glowing trinkets from Drakmoor’s mines. A large window dominated the opposite wall, its smart glass dimmed to block out the harsh sandstorm but still offering a faint view of the swirling red outside.
“Sorry for the wait,” Kevin said as he entered the room, pulling their attention back to him. He’d excused himself earlier to deal with the unexpected sandstorm. The weather had brought the entire city to a halt, delaying shipments and grinding operations to a temporary standstill.
“Well… a couple of cargo ships had to cancel their takeoffs due to the sandstorm,” Kevin continued, hanging his jacket on a sleek chrome rack by the door. “But nothing too serious. All the mines are fine—no flooding of sand or other issues.”
Kevin stood beside Eliana, addressing the room while the rest of the crew settled into their spaces. Commander Grayson examined a sculptures on the shelf, his expression unreadable, while the crew chatted with Baiyan, finally getting to know their newest member after his time in the medical bay.
Kevin cleared his throat, and the room fell silent, save for the faint howling of the wind outside, which was slowly dying down as the sandstorm passed.
“I’d like to congratulate everyone on a successful mission,” Kevin began, his voice steady and warm. “And since the expedition was funded by me, you’ll all be rewarded handsomely.”
That announcement lightened the atmosphere instantly, and the crew cheered in unison. Robert, in particular, looked thrilled, and Kai couldn’t help but wonder how the man planned to spend his share—his money was probably destined for Drakmoor’s red-light district.
“On to more important matters,” Kevin continued, his tone shifting to seriousness. “Commander Grayson has informed me that the True Kin are not the enemy we initially thought. Instead, they are a potential ally. While the higher-ups in their organization may have opposing ideals regarding Kai’s existence, there are many among the True Kin who wish to reveal the truth and reunite with the rest of humanity. Isn’t that right, Mr. Baiyan?”
Baiyan nodded. “Yes. It’s unfortunate, but the True Kin are divided Both the masquerade. Still, it’s natural that some would fear the idea of opening up to humanity after so long in isolation.”
“Agreed,” Kevin said. “It will take a great deal of effort to convince the Federation to accept the True Kin as part of human society. But the bigger problem lies within the very human nature itself. Prolonged isolation has caused each of the True Kin societies to further develop unique cultures and belief systems. That’s going to cause significant friction when they eventually interact with the rest of humanity. Adjusting to new ideas won’t happen overnight.”
Kai spoke up. “When I talked with Mama Mo, she said the only way to survive against the thing—whatever is dimming the stars—is if the Empire, the Federation, and the True Kin stand together. We need to show the universe that there’s something real out there. People need to stop fighting each other. This war cannot happen.”
Eliana frowned, her gaze soft but conflicted. “Kai, I believe in you because I’ve seen your power firsthand. But for the rest of the universe, especially the elders of the Empire, the idea of a star-eating threat is going to sound ridiculous to them.”
If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.
A heavy silence fell over the room. The unification of humanity seemed an impossible dream.
“Sorry,” Eliana said after a moment, her voice apologetic. “I didn’t mean to dampen the mood.”
Kevin stepped forward, his tone calm but firm. “No need to apologize, Eliana. Doubt is natural, but so is progress. All things big starts with people like us—those who are willing to take the first steps toward something better. So let’s focus on what we can do.”
His words seemed to lift the room.
"Right," Ivan said, "I though flying a ship was impossible, and look at me now. An expert pilot."
Kai chuckled softly. He knew Kevin was right—someone had to do it, and he would be that someone.
Just a year. That was all the time left until the two system aligned— until the attack on Drakmoor. His mind drifted to memories he wished he could forget. The man silently crying in the driver’s seat, the empty baby seat in the back, and the burning city fading into the distance.
No, he wouldn’t let that happen again.
He needed evidence—solid proof that something had forced humanity to abandon Earth long ago. And what better way to uncover the truth than to find Earth itself?
He thought of the technician they’d met down in the mine. Isaac—that was his name. Kai wondered if the man had made any progress on his calculations.
“Has Mr. Isaac gotten back to you yet?” Kai asked Kevin.
“No, why?” Kevin replied, raising an eyebrow.
“Just wondering if he’s figured out where Earth is yet,” Kai said, his curiosity evident.
Kevin chuckled and leaned back slightly, a mischievous smile spreading across his face. “Well, how about you go ask him yourself?”
To be honest, when Kevin asked Kai to find Isaac, he had imagined a simple trip—taking the elevator down, walking a few blocks, and Issac will be waiting for him in one of the high-tech looking buildings. What he definitely didn't expected was a scorching drive through the midday desert sun.
Kai sat in the driver’s seat of his new car, the engine humming smoothly beneath him. Beside him, Eliana rode shotgun, her sunglasses shielding her hazel eyes from the blinding sun. Both of them were dressed practically for the harsh desert terrain. Kai wore a lightweight, long-sleeved beige shirt that protected his skin from the sun, paired with rugged cargo pants and sturdy boots. Eliana sported a breathable olive-green button-up shirt tucked into slim utility pants, her boots scuffed but reliable. A lightweight scarf was wrapped loosely around her neck, ready to pull up over her face if the wind picks up.
Kai glanced at Eliana and couldn’t help but think how stunning she looked. A part of him wanted to lean over and kiss her, but the thought of Baiyan sitting in the backseat stopped him. He and Eliana exchanged an excited glence, celebrating their first drive together.
Baiyan, on the other hand, looked far less enthusiastic. He slouched slightly, his expression betraying his discomfort with the situation. Having just started to enjoy the conveniences of the city, he wasn’t thrilled to find himself back in the middle of nowhere. His hair was tighted behind his head in a man bun. His outfit—a simple dark shirt, durable pants, and a thin jacket— it suited his no nonsense demeanor.
“Are we there yet?” Baiyan muttered, he leaned to the side, dodging the mid-day sun shining thought the window.
Kai smirked, adjusting his sunglasses as he navigated the seemingly endless stretch of desert. “Not yet. Try to enjoy the view.”
Kevin hadn’t provided transportation this time. Instead, he’d pointed Kai toward a car dealership with nothing more than a warm smile.
With the money Kevin had given him, Kai figured he could afford a reliable vehicle fit for the harsh desert terrain. Eliana accompanied him as he browsed the options, walking among rows of shiny vehicles under the show lights.
After some internal debate, Kai finally settled on a sport utility vehicle that could handle his everyday needs while being durable enough for the desert. It will be a significant chunk of his newfound savings, but he knew it would be worth it in the long run.
When the time came to pay, both Kai and Eliana stared at the balance displayed on his bank account.
C: 10,059,000
Ten million and fifty-nine thousand credits. The number felt surreal. Months spent toiling in the mines had earned him barely a fraction of that. Now, he had more money than he’d ever dreamed of—enough to buy a ship, and then some. Mr. Draco had kept his word: fifty-nine thousand for the expedition, and ten million for finding the buried ship.
“Wow,” Eliana said, her voice tinged with awe. “That’s… a lot of money.”
“Yeah, it is,” Kai said with a smile. He handed his bank card to the saleswoman. “I’ll take this car, please.”
That night, Kai and Eliana went shopping together, buying all the gear they needed for the trip—and extra supplies for Baiyan, too. They treated themselves to a delicious meal, the table beside them piled high with shopping bags of all shapes and sizes.
The two of them drew plenty of attention, but neither of them cared. For once, life felt simple and good, and they enjoyed every moment of it.
Finally, they reached the coordinates displayed on the car’s navigation system. Isaac should be here somewhere. The three disembarked, the oppressive desert heat immediately bearing down on them.
Kai scanned the area for the entrance to the underground facility Kevin had described. The vast expanse of sand seemed to stretch endlessly, and for a moment, he feared the sandstorm had buried the entrance entirely. But after carefully inspecting the area, he spotted it—a hatch concealed by a thin layer of sand, cleverly hidden in plain sight for those not specifically looking for it.
He crouched down, brushing the sand away to reveal the hatch. Embedded in the surface was a keypad with a blue button labeled “Buzz.” Kai pressed it. Nothing happened. He pressed it again, but there was still no response.
“Maybe he’s not here,” Baiyan said, his tone edged with impatience. The heat was clearly getting to him.
Kai leaned down and pressed his ear against the hatch, listening carefully. At first, there was silence. Then, faintly, he heard the metallic clunk of footsteps moving below, followed by the distinct sound of boots on a ladder.
He pulled back just as the hatch creaked open, revealing Isaac’s familiar face. The man looked like he hadn’t slept in days. His hoodie was wrinkled, his hair a disheveled mess, and dark circles shadowed his eyes.
“Oh, it’s you guys!” Isaac exclaimed, his tone fast and excited. “Right, right, you’re here about the coordinates for Earth. Perfect timing—I was just about to contact Mr. Kevin. Oh, quick, come in, come in!”
Kai stepped aside to let Baiyan go in first. “Dr. Isaac, this is Baiyan, a representative from the True Kin. He’s also interested in finding Earth’s coordinates,” Kai said with a small wink at Baiyan.
Baiyan nodded politely and descended into the facility.
Next, Kai gestured for Eliana to enter. She stopped in front of him, brushing off some sand that had clung to his ear from the wind. Her touch lingered, and Kai seized the moment, pulling her close and stealing a quick kiss.
Eliana smiled, her cheeks slightly flushed, before climbing down the ladder.
Kai followed last, carefully lowering himself onto the steel rungs. He closed the hatch securely behind him and descended into the underground facility. The ladder wasn’t long, and soon his boots clanged against a solid steel walkway below.
Kai paused for a moment, letting his eyes adjust to the dimly lit environment. The tunnel ahead sloped downward, leading to a single staircase. The lighting was sparse, barely illuminating the narrow passage, making it difficult to discern where the first step began.
Isaac led the way, descending quickly and confidently, his excitement palpable. Behind him, Baiyan, Eliana, and Kai moved more cautiously, their footsteps echoing softly against the metal steps.
As they neared the bottom, Kai noticed a massive door at the end of the staircase. It looked entirely out of place—thick and imposing, like a bank vault door rather than something meant for a place like this.
Why would Isaac even needed this? Kai wondered, puzzled. But as he stepped through the door, the answer became clear.
The room beyond was like something out of a science fiction movie. The cavernous space was filled with rows upon rows of computers, stacked together in massive racks that lined the walls and stretched down the center of the room. Cables snaked across the floor, some neatly bundled, others haphazardly draped like vines in a jungle of machinery. The hum of fans and processors filled the air, a constant, low vibration that gave the space a strange energy.
At the far end of the cave-like room was a massive wall of monitors, seamlessly arranged to form a single, expansive screen. The screen flickered with data—graphs, maps, and incomprehensible streams of numbers that scrolled endlessly. The glow from the monitors bathed the room in a bluish light, illuminating the intricate setup with an almost otherworldly brilliance.
Kai’s mouth fell open as he took it all in. He had only ever seen something like this in the fictions.
Isaac noticed their astonished expressions and smiled proudly. He pushed up his glasses, his voice filled with enthusiasm.
“Welcome to the Nexus.”