"You can start whenever." Cogopher said.

Core flew toward the first beacon.

It was flashing red, so that meant she needed to pass it on the right. She slowed down as it grew closer, then flew gently passed it. As she did, she looked ahead at the next beacon. It was blue, so she passed it on the left. There were several more beacons up ahead of her, and she navigated through them effortlessly.

As she pulled around the last one, she looked back at the Celestine, and, for the first time, she really took it in. She gazed at it in awe as she pulled closer to the titanic ship and the platform where Cogopher was waiting.

As Core floated, she noticed movement out of the corner of her eye. It was the mobile cogs, and they were coming closer. That's right, Menakin said this was team training!

"Core, these are the guys. Guys, this is Core." Cogopher said. The Mobile Cogs were large ships, about as big as Core's torso, and each of them looked like a flower made of metal. Not a frilly flower, but one that made them look powerful and cool. "I know Menakin called this training, but I'm I only need to collect some data on your movement patterns. So just let Core play with you for a while."

Suddenly, all the mobile cogs turned to face Core and she gently flew away as they pulled up beside her. As they traveled through the warm expanse of space, surrounded by stars, Core led them in a dance.

...

Rick was just finishing a 9 hour shift at the warehouse. The newly discovered idealized space had attracted a lot of attention, which meant a lot of business if you were in the right industries. And apparently, Art was very well connected with the businesses that had accumulated to serve the scientists who were busy cracking the locks guarding untold treasure.

Wiping his brow, he took the last load of foodstuffs from his cart and placed it upon a high shelf. Then he headed for the exit.

The warehouse was actually the belly of a ship, since non-permanent structures were the most expedient.

The warehouse was some walk away from the Beacon of Night, at the tail end of a long promenade. The promenade had been decorated with potted plants and trees, as well as small businesses built to serve the patrons who frequented it, for it was one of the only thoroughfares that connected docked ships with the tents of the scientists.

There was a snow cone vendor next to the Beacon of Night, and though the spacewind was hot, Rick wasn't interested in a snow cone as he passed it by.

...

Core lounged comfortably and was in the middle of a deep sleep when she was awoken by a light. She blinked her eyes as she stared at it, and for a moment she confused it with a star. The light moved away, and is it did it left a river of light in its wake.

Core stretched as she watched it go, then slowly loomed over The Celestine. She flew past the anti-gravity engines, which gave off a comfortable warmth, and began scanning the open terraces of the ship. She was hunting for Cogopher, but it was late at night and she could only hope that he was still awake.

At last she found his familiar shape as he sat on a bench, and she descended to whisper to him, holding a careful hand to her mouth.

"Cogopher." He noticed her and waved, then headed to a nearby podium that the crew used to communicate with Core. When he spoke a quick greeting into the mic, his voice was also whisper, and he sounded a little annoyed.

Core continued, in a rush. "Who was that?"

"Who? Oh, the giant ball of light that just ignored us? They call themselves the Thale."

"The Thale?"

"They're the ones everyone is chasing."

"They're the front-runners." Core said. "Do you think they could shed my blood?"

"I'm sure they could. But they're jerks." Cogopher said. "But if you're going to talk to them, remember that you represent all of us. Well, that's what Menakin would say, but I'm not worried."

"I'll talk to you later." Core said, as she watched the retreating glow of the Thalian ship.

...

It wasn't hard to catch up to the Thalian ship. If anything, it looked like it was slowing down just for Core. But as she approached it closer, and began to see beyond the blinding light which covered the ship, she began to feel apprehensive.

She didn't know where it was coming from. Maybe it was from the glory of the ship, or maybe it was the weight of the question she had to ask, but whatever the cause, she decided to push through it, though it wasn't much of a decision; such was the weight of her question upon her heart.

When the Thalian ship suddenly stopped, Core was ready for anything. Anything for Rick.

Core straightened herself and began walking towards the ship, making sure her body language was confident, like Rick's always was. She wasn't sure she was doing it, but picturing Rick helped her stay calm as her face was overcome with white light. If she tried, she could see through it, and she saw the shapes of people robed in beautiful garments inside the ship. Most of them had drinks in their hands, and they'd come close to the edge of the ship, as if to watch Core's approach with condescending smiles.

At a certain point, Core was taken aback when a giant man appeared before her. The man was dressed in white and striking white hair. Core knew it was a hologram, but at the same time, she felt intimidated, so intimidated that she stopped moving completely and waited for the hologram to make the first move.

"Who are you to address the Thale?" the hologram said.

"Hi, I'm, um, the King's ward of Ozlo."

"I'm in a good mood today, king's ward... so consider yourself blessed that I'm willing to talk to someone from that pathetic kingdom. What do you wish of me?"

Core hesitated, then slowly raised her wrist, unable to look the hologram in the eye. "I want some of my blood."

"Why?"

"It's for Rick."

"Who's Rick? We have no records of a Rick. And anyway, what could a man want with a young maiden's blood?"

"He's a scientist." Core said, raising her head to look the hologram in the eye. "Please."

"And what could you possibly offer us?"

"I don't know."

"You don't make an attractive proposal, but I'm feeling generous. I'll shed your blood if you can break the gate." The hologram finished, then started laughing. The laughter filled Core with anger, but she just stood there silently until the laughter and the ship vanished in a flash of dazzling light.

...

After washing dishes for 9 hours straight, Rick passed by the snow cone vendor, and as he did so, he noticed Len's graceful form looking down on him from inside the Beacon of Night.

...

After sorting shoes for 9 hours straight, Rick passed by the snow cone vendor, snow cone in hand. As he looked ahead, he saw Len waiting at the entrance to the Beacon of night, and she held two iced coffees piled high with whipped cream.

…

Core spent much of her days sitting next to the Celestine, waiting for Menakin or Cogopher to talk to her. And like clockwork, she heard the sing-songy voice of Cogopher.

"What was that?" Core said.

Cogopher's voice came back a little louder "I told you they were jerks."

"Why are they like that?"

"Because they're entitled brats. Your ancestor does one great thing a long time ago and suddenly the universe revolves around you." Cogopher said. "Menakin sent me here to distract you but I can't help but zinging those guys. I guess its my Ozloan blood. We're miners, Core. We literally dig up rocks for a living, so we have nothing in common with people who are living in the past. I wish we had a slogan; if we did it would be something like 'digging up a brighter future one rock at a time.'"

"Rocks are lifesavers." Core said wistfully.

The author's narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

"Yeah, they are." Cogopher said. "You know what else is a lifesaver? Bodysuits. Guess who's getting a bodysuit!"

"Me?"

"Yeah, we thought it would help you move more freely."

"Awesome." Core said. "What kind of bodysuit?"

"You'll have to find out."

"Okay." Core said. "They had white hair didn't they..."

"Just like the Sindtari."

When she heard the name Sindtari, Core leaned her head in closer to Cogopher, as if to listen more intently. "Who are they?"

"When Alegway created the universe, he created women first. He called them the Sindtari and filled them with his divine power. Then he told them to create the stars. And they did. Then, once their power was used up, their hair changed into the colors we have today. Then they waited. They waited and waited. Waiting for something so wonderful that they couldn't put it into words. And then God showed them the Indari. Can you guess what the Indari were?"

"Men."

"Yes, but they were asleep. And he told the Sindtari to wake them up with a kiss. But he gave the Indari a job to do. Do you know what it was?"

“To create the planets.”

“That's right.”

"You've done this before."

"My little sisters always liked the part where the Sindtari made the stars and they would pretend to do it themselves, complete with sound effects."

"Do you think we're related; me and the Sindtari?"

"Yeah, you're a girl."

"No, I mean they have white hair too."

"I don't know. Probably, or Alegway just likes chicks with white hair." Core drifted away from Cogopher, as if she was becoming lost in her own thoughts. "Well, my job here is done." he said.

...

Core's new bodysuit was laid out for her on an empty deck. She marveled at it for a while before she scooped it up and headed to the rear of the ship.

The bodysuit slipped on easily and she marveled at its blue-black fabric as she looked down at her arms.

She felt light and comfy; as if she could do anything. This bodysuit was greater than the bodysuit she'd imagined, by a long shot, and it even had a bathroom mode!

Skipping, she headed to the deck where she'd left Menakin and Cogopher.

"How does it fit?" Menakin said.

"I don't think you need to ask her that." Cogopher cut in.

"It's great!" Core said.

"How great?" Cogopher said.

"Super great!"

"That's good to hear." Menakin said. "What about your combat abilities?"

"They're good."

"Then should we begin our assault?" Menakin said.

Core nodded and smiled, then gave two thumbs up.

"My Mobile Cogs will never evolve unless we get some action." Cogopher said.

"Then let's launch." Menakin said.

...

The kaiju Seed loomed in space. Like its name suggested, it was a titanic object in the shape of an elongated seed. In comparison, the Celestine was minuscule, even obsolete.

The Seed was surrounded by Celestial kaiju, each in their own orbit. They moved slowly, without a care in the world, and as Core gathered with the Mobile Cogs, she marveled at the scene before her.

"Now isn't the time for distractions." Menakin said, his voice gentle.

Core realized he was talking to her. "Sorry. What were you saying?"

"Nothing you haven't heard before." Menakin said. "But you should set an example for the Mobile Cogs."

"Sorry."

"It is quite a sight isn't it? And who knows what's awaiting us inside. What we really need is someone who knows how to hunt. All we've had are simulations and mock battles; none of us have any experience battling kaiju. So we're relying on you."

"I understand."

"Good." Menakin said. "Maybe you should hang out with the Mobile Cogs before we launch. It's a great opportunity to get out your jitters."

"Okay." Core moved closer to the Mobile Cogs, who were talking amongst themselves though she couldn't hear them. She knew their pilots were somewhere on the Celestine but she'd never met them in person. She only hoped that she could keep their ships safe once the fighting actually started.

The Mobile Cogs seemed to notice her, as they made room for her in their circle.

She wasn't sure what she was supposed to do, so she tried to relax and smile a lot. As she stood there, she noticed a mobile cog approaching. This one was smoother than the rest, and somehow a bit more friendly.

"Yo." It said, sounding strikingly similar to Cogopher.

"What are you doing?"

"Menakin said to get out our jitters."

"I think he was projecting." Cogopher said. "All of us are excited down here. How about you?"

Core nodded.

"Then let's show him!" Suddenly Cogopher broke out into a yell and Core was taken aback for brief moment, but when he kept yelling she joined him. The other Mobile Cogs moved to encircle Cogopher and then their voices joined in too. No one was yelling anything coherent, but Core had to admit that it was pumping her up. Then suddenly Cogopher yelled out "Battle pose!" and the mobile cogs changed formation into one Core recognized from their joint training sessions. It was their default battle pose and Core took her place at the head of it.

"Feeling jittery?" Cogopher said.

Core shook her head.

"Feeling excited?"

Core nodded.

"Feeling rejuvenated?"

Core nodded.

"Then let's move out! Who needs permission!"

"Really?" Core asked.

"I take full responsibility; lets make some progress before he gets out of the bathroom!"

With that, Core flew forward, followed closely by the mobile cogs. Giant flying kaiju floated just ahead of them, looking much like Manatees, but Core ignored them. They were passive and had nothing to do with the kaiju Seed itself, though they looked quite majestic.

After she passed them, Core began activating her Camping Field. She felt the familiar sensation of the energy deep within her, and she released it all around her. As she did so, increasing its strength, the kaiju Seed loomed larger. They were aiming for a crack in the seed, which produced its own light, and with its light, it illuminated a swarm of kaiju glittering just outside it.

Once her camping field was fully charged, Core held her fists up ready to fight. She looked behind herself briefly and saw the Mobile Cogs following close behind her, though they gave her enough space just in case she needed to stop suddenly.

Soon Core approached the first of the swarming kaiju. The kaiju looked like giant shrimp, but though she aimed for them, they kept avoiding her, as if her Camping Field was driving them away.

She plunged toward the crack and soon she was inside it. Its walls glistened like flesh and she couldn't pinpoint the source of their illumination. The kaiju swarm grew thicker, but still she was able to pass through it without a fight, though her arms we still raised just in case.

Then, suddenly, she felt a slight constriction on her left wrist. Looking down, she saw a message displayed on her bodysuit, in glowing red letters.

It read: keep carrying us! :)

Core smiled and slowly flew deeper in. The space around her was biological in shape; almost as if she were flying through a giant artery. The swarm grew even thicker, but not enough to block out the artery walls. The artery curved up ahead and she still followed it. After a long while of meandering, she felt the constriction on her wrist again.

It read; Need a break? (I want a break)

Core turned her head to the mobile cogs and shook it, but she still waited for the smooth mobile cog to get within talking distance.

"Menakin thinks we should take things slower; you never know when things could change. Like they could suddenly attack us for instance."

"I don't think they can."

"We should probably try it just in case."

"Okay."

"If things get hectic; feel free to abandon us. Mobile Cogs aren't cheap but the king would kill us if something happened to you." Cogopher said. "And don't underestimate our power."

"Okay."

Cogopher drifted away and fell back into formation. The journey continued. Then, far ahead, something changed, though it was hard to make out through the silent, swarming kaiju. It was an instinct and in that moment Core knew that something was coming. She held up a fist so the mobile cogs could see it, then she tensed, waiting for battle.

Up ahead, the kaiju swarm began thinning and Core zoomed toward a gap that had formed. She looked back and could see the Mobile Cogs keeping up, and she didn't slow down even as she burst through the gap.

She could feel something in the air; a vibration just underneath her other senses. She increased her speed again, choosing to be the hunter instead of the hunted. The monstrous artery they were traveling through began expanding and as Core turned a corner, she spotted a wall of kaiju blocking her path. They looked heavily armored and they were in a formation of their own, almost as if they had been programmed to follow the commands of an unseen general.

Core cared little for the barricade and picked up speed to burst through it, when she saw a large beam of light flash past her. It hit the kaiju wall with explosive force and blasted chunks out of several kaiju. Then another beam came, and another, all concentrated on the same spot. As if sensing that their defensive strategy was futile, the kaiju broke formation and charged Core in groups of two or three. Core rose to the meet the first group, preparing a punch. She reared back and let loose a jab as the first kaiju came in range. At impact, the kaiju exploded, leaving a clear path through to its teammates. They feel just as easily and Core moved to the next charging group.

In between thunderous strikes, she checked on the Mobile Cogs, who, while doing far less damage than her, were able to outmaneuver the kaiju with ease, separating and coming back together like a school of fish, and soon they too had felled their first group.

With the rapid pace that Core could put down the kaiju, it wasn't long before their numbers dwindled to nothing. Feeling energized, Core floated back to the mobile cogs and gave them a thumbs up.

"Now can we take a break?" Cogopher whined. Core shook her head and laughed. "Then we'll, um, we'll follow you."

Core only now realized what was behind the wall of kaiju; an opening as tall and wide as the artery itself. She cautiously headed toward it and surveyed a large cavity which opened up before her. It was impressive in scale that Core guessed that it must be the heart of the kaiju Seed.

And it wasn't empty.

Hanging from the ceiling there was something like a hive, or a pulsating organ. It was made up of thousands of tiny kaiju and hung from a strand attached to the ceiling. Core raised an open hand; the sign for the Mobile Cogs to hang back and provide support. Then she charged the hive. In response to her charge, the hive moved, and its undulations proved that it was indeed a giant swarm of kaiju. But while the mobile cogs moved in a choreographed dance, the swarm moved chaotically, as only a living creature could.

Core cautiously flew toward the hive and as she drew closer it began pulsating. Then, suddenly, the entire hive broke loose and torpedoed towards her. She dodged, and then dodged again and again as tendrils of kaiju zoomed toward her as the massive hive dove past.

The hive circled around and hung frozen in midair, as if it was thinking about its next move. Then a giant arm, like that of an octopus, came toward Core at blinding speed, colliding with her midriff. She felt the impact but took no damage and as the tendril retreated she zoomed after it. As she came close to the hive, the tiny kaiju dispersed like a school of panicked fish, revealing a giant octopus.

The octopus fled before Core and she gave chase. Then, out of the corner of her eyes, she spotted the Mobile Cogs. They were grouped together in a formation she recognized, and it looked like they were pooling their resources to charge a giant beam. She chased the octopus in their direction, but the mobile cogs didn't fire. Maybe she needed to lead it closer? She chased the octopus around the cavity and brought it back for another pass and this time, the beam fired. It pierced the octopus's bulbous head and it dropped out of the air, landing with a resounding thud on the ground far below.

The tiny kaiju followed suit, and shining silver corpses began raining down around Core. She moved out of the way and toward the mobile Cogs. But as she did so, she smelt the aroma of burnt flesh, and a call deep inside her own flesh began pulling on her mind. She waved briefly to the mobile cogs, then descended, the pull on her mind becoming more intense the closer she got to the felled octopus; the source of the intoxicating aroma.

Her stomach growled. She swallowed back saliva. She dove onto the charred octopus corpse and began devouring it. Its flesh was light and sweet and is it passed her lips, her hunger for it only grew.

As she ate, she heard Menakin's voice. "Are you all right?"

She couldn't bring herself to speak, but she sighed a happy affirmative, then she heard Cogopher's voice cut in.

"Leave some for the rest of us, you animal!"