September 3, UC 1587 | ???, Planet ???, Capital City ???, Drikon Family’s Home
“So, Astinia, which book do you want me to read?” Smiles mom.
“Mmm, you’ve already read all the books,” I whined.
“Then how about this new book?” chuckles Mom.
I open my eyes wide in excitement and shout, “YES!”
“Alright. Alright.” laughs Mom. “Ahem, the book is called ‘Strength is Might' by Jadis Reginald, the recorded history after the Golden Age. A story that many have forgotten thanks to our many years of peace.”
“What’s this Golden Age?” With a confusing gaze at the unfamiliar words.
Mom answers, “It’s a time when resources and habitable planets were plentiful. With the advancement of society, they started to explore outside their solar system. Because of the United Nations, scientists have banded together to study how to go faster than light by including the use of ‘Alien’ technology they found on Pluto.”
“Alien’s BAD!” Even though I never saw any Aliens. There was still a feeling of fear that I couldn’t shake away.
“Haha. We shouldn’t judge that all aliens are bad. Just like humans, there are good and bad humans,” Mom emphasizes.
While I contemplated what she told me. Mom gets a message through her comms.
“Honey. I’ll be home in two months as my tour has ended. Say hi to the kids for me and tell them I’ll be coming home soon,” assured Haylock.
I was deeply engrossed in understanding what she meant that I didn’t even notice the message playing on the speaker.
This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.
Annika is ecstatic to hear that her husband can come home early.
It's been almost five long years since Haylock's deployment. Such a time will create a feeling of emptiness. A feeling that the person you love isn't right beside you. Someone with who you can share your thoughts, frustration, and joy.
To distract those negative feelings from cropping up in her life, Annika had doted on Astinia and poured love, warmth, and attention on him.
“Mom, I think I understand what you mean now,” I remark proudly.
She understands that her son is clever. Yet she still couldn’t come to terms with that uncanny height of intelligence he portrays. She worries about his future and how ostracized he might be with those of his age.
Mom smiles with warmth, “I’m so proud of you,” while giving a light kiss on my forehead.
“Hehe,” I giggle.
“So where was I?” said Mom.
“Alien!”
“Ah yes, so with the help of alien technology, scientists reverse-engineered a few components after many failed attempts and sleepless nights. With those few components, scientist's creativity, and many long years of trial and error, we got what is now known as...” held Mom.
“SLAP!” I laugh.
“Haha! Even though we call it SLAP now. The very first iteration was called the HyperDrive,” Mom smiles.
“I think SLAP is better.”
Smiling, “Yes, I think so too.”
“So, with the introduction of the HyperDrive, only the rich and powerful could acquire these new HyperDrives that can go beyond their solar system to uncharted territories that no one has visited before. Adventurous and risk-tolerant explorers decided to brave this new frontier by having these influential and rich people sponsor them. During the many years of exploration, the explorers discovered never before seen exotics. Yet as much as finding new exotics was an astonishing discovery, this wasn’t their goal for being hired. They were on a mission to find habitable planets, which they thought was futile after many years of exploring until a few explorers' luck turned around. What they found were four habitable worlds in one year.”
“These four planets were just the beginning of what is now called ‘The Golden Age,’” Mom softly speaks while noticing the sleeping Astinia.
Mom gives a soft kiss on Astinia’s forehead. Then quietly gets up and slowly closes the door with worry in her eyes and fear in her heart.
The feeling that peace is only an illusion and the beat of the drums is nearing ever so closer.