Over the course of nearly eight months, Ryan and the crew worked tirelessly on Substation ZZ-98, saving every bit of the alien currency they could earn. It had taken nearly all their collective resources, but finally, they amassed enough funds to purchase a way off the station—or at least a step closer to their next destination. The amount needed was staggering: 5 Korium per person to access the teleporter, a colossal sum that had required months of grueling labor in a foreign station, under harsh conditions, and alongside alien species they’d never imagined.

The destination, as they were informed, was in Lybrinote, a galaxy so distant from anything familiar that it felt almost mythical. It lay 100 million light-years away, yet with the use of the teleporter, they would reach it within mere seconds.

As Ryan stood in the dimly lit corridors of Substation ZZ-98 still in spacesuit, he marveled at the technology around him. The teleporter system was beyond anything they’d ever seen—a testament to the scientific achievements of a Type 4 civilization. In their own galaxy, such advanced methods were purely theoretical, reserved for speculations and dreams. Here, however, teleportation across intergalactic distances was a daily tool, though one reserved only for those wealthy enough to afford it.

The crew knew this journey wouldn’t be without risks. The teleporter, though fast and efficient, operated with a system that was, in every way, beyond their comprehension. But the possibility of reaching another galaxy—and the chance to acquire a jump drive—was worth it. Their ship, equipped only with conventional propulsion, would take hundreds of years to cross such a distance. Even with the jump drive, which they hoped to purchase at the station in Lybrinote, the journey would still be formidable, though vastly more manageable.

In the teleporter room, Ryan and Dom said their goodbyes to the others who would remain on the substation. They shared handshakes and wishes of good fortune. “Don’t take any risks out there,” cautioned one of the engineers. “And if you get that jump drive, bring it back safe.”

Ryan smiled, feeling a surge of gratitude and a pang of nervousness. “We’ll be back soon,” he said, trying to project confidence. “Just keep the ship ready and stay out of trouble.”

As they moved into the teleporter chamber, a sense of awe overtook them. The machinery was massive, with gleaming, shifting components that seemed to hum with a life of their own. A strange, pulsating energy filled the air, making it seem thicker, almost tangible. A network of luminous symbols and patterns lined the chamber walls, with each line representing incomprehensible alien functions.

An attendant approached them, a creature they’d come to recognize as part of the station staff. In halting translations of their language, it informed them of the protocol. “Stand still in the chamber…keep your personal items within the radius…maintain calm,” it instructed, its voice a mixture of distorted tones and faint, synthesized hums. “Arrival…will be instant.”

With a final nod to the attendant, Ryan and Dom stepped into their designated positions, adjusting their stances as the system calibrated to their dimensions. A quiet but powerful surge of energy swept over them, and within moments, their senses blurred. Colors folded in on themselves, shapes shifted, and then, in a heartbeat, the room around them dissolved into pure, encompassing light.

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The disorienting light gave way as quickly as it had come. When their senses returned, they found themselves standing in a vastly different environment—a bustling hub in the heart of Lybrinote Galaxy. The station ZA-01 was an architectural marvel, far grander and more advanced than anything on Substation ZZ-98. High above, the ceilings rose, lined with translucent domes that revealed a breathtaking view of swirling nebulae and unfamiliar star clusters. Aliens of every shape and size moved through the station, busy with their tasks and interactions.

It took them a moment to catch their breath, still reeling from the instant shift across galaxies. After orienting themselves, they began their mission: gather supplies and secure a jump drive, the essential technology they needed to bridge distances that were otherwise insurmountable. The thought of finally equipping their ship with such advanced travel capabilities filled them with determination.

The jump drive, however, would be an expensive investment. It cost 100 Korium, an amount that was staggering even by the standards of these natives. This drive, while not nearly as fast as the teleporter, was still revolutionary. By enabling their ship to make massive leaps across space, it would offer them a shot at exploring the unknown and, potentially, finding a route back to their own galaxy.

As they made their way through the corridors of the station, the crew marveled at the sheer diversity around them. Aliens from different species and backgrounds engaged in a dizzying array of activities—some conducting trades in marketplaces, others engrossed in technological repairs, and some involved in practices entirely unfamiliar. It was a vibrant tapestry of life, revealing glimpses of a universe much broader than they’d ever known.

They eventually located a marketplace where they could purchase supplies, exchanging their hard-earned currency for rations, equipment, and other essentials. The shopkeepers, though not always accommodating, offered a vast range of items, some so advanced that their functions were unfathomable to the crew. Ryan took note of every transaction, aware of the painstaking efforts it had taken to earn each piece of Korium.

After several hours of preparation, they finally located a trader with access to jump drives. The merchant, an alien with elongated limbs and eyes that seemed to shimmer like stardust, appraised them with keen interest as they were still in their spacesuits. “A jump drive,” it said, its voice echoing in a strange, melodic tone. “Quite the investment. Most in your position would think twice before such a purchase.”

Ryan straightened, feeling the weight of the choice but resolute. “It’s necessary for us,” he replied. “We need to get back to familiar space, and this is our only option.”

The alien tilted its head, assessing them. “Very well. One hundred Korium, and it’s yours.”

With a nod, Ryan handed over the precious Korium they had worked so hard to accumulate. The transaction completed, the alien handed over the drive—a sleek, polished piece of technology that seemed almost alive with energy. Holding it felt surreal; it was a key to the unknown, a device that would alter their journey in ways they could only begin to imagine.

As they made their way back to the teleporter, the weight of the jump drive in their hands, the crew felt a new sense of purpose. They had come across galaxies, navigated the challenges of an alien economy, and now, they were one step closer to their goal.

Back in the teleporter chamber, they prepared for the return jump. The journey back to Substation ZZ-98 would be quick, but the knowledge they were bringing with them—and the new possibilities—would extend far beyond that.