Rick was relaxing on his day off when he heard a knock on his bedroom door. On the other side was Len, and she was dressed like she had somewhere nice to go.

"Have you heard about the new buffet?" she asked.

"It might be nice to try something new. I'll be out in 10." Rick said.

…

The buffet was quite crowded when Len and Rick arrived, but it had a pleasant ambiance birthed from many companionable conversations. The smells in the air were intoxicating and Len and Rick hurried to fill their plates. Rick chose several Asian dishes, feeling in the mood for something quite a bit different from steak and salad. Len chose steak and salad.

There was plenty of room and they chose a secluded table to enjoy their meal.

"I came here for a confession." Len said.

"That's quite straightforward."

"I though you'd appreciate it."

"I do."

"I want us to date."

"I'm afraid that's impossible. I'm far too ambitious to spend time on another person."

"And that won't change?"

"'Fraid not."

"Can we still be friends."

"I would like nothing more. How's that salad?"

"It's good, but not as good as homemade." Len said. "How's the one with the broccoli and beef?"

"It's exquisite, like present company."

"So, um, how's your life?"

"Perfect."

"What about your ambition?"

"That takes time. You can't rise to the top if you aren't willing to make connections."

"How do you make connections?"

Rick shrugged. "I've never been anywhere where valuable connections weren't mine to be had."

"That's good to hear." Len said, and she smiled, but the smile didn't quite reach her eyes.

"I'm sure I'm not the only one with ambitions." Rick purred.

Len's eyes lit up.

…

"How goes your training?" Menakin said.

"I think I graduated." Core said from behind her VR helmet.

"Then are you ready for the next step?"

"Yeah!"

"Then let's meet up."

...

Cogopher and the engineers aboard The Celestine had crafted a craft for Core. It was circular and floated above the ground. Cogopher called it the Core-ball.

It had several cameras which fed into Core's VR helmet, meaning she could see everyday people face to face. And even better, she could talk to them via a microphone and a display that displayed her VR avatar.

Cogopher had set up a training course so Core could learn how to drive the Core-ball, but it was really quite intuitive. It only took her a few hours to master controlling the Coreball via its massive controller.

To meet up with Menakin, she drove to the entrance of a large platform. The door opened and Menakin strode up to her confidently.

"Follow me."

She pulled up beside him and stuck to him closely as he wound his way through the Celestine. Core was awestruck at the insides of the ship, and the people she saw working there. They were so close, so big, and the ship was so comfy looking. While its outsides were smooth and sleek, like most ships she saw, the insides were inviting. There were couches and chairs and places for people to gather. Many of them were doing that as she passed them, and she saw recognition in their eyes, though no one approached her or Menakin.

She promised herself that she would talk to them later. Well, at least the boys.

"Do you remember Cogopher's instructions?" Menakin said.

"Yeah, I have his spreadsheet."

"Can you read the map?"

"I'm good with directions."

"How about his special assignment? I suspect that it was the primary reason for sending you on this outing. It sounded pretty important."

"Yeah, I'll remember."

"Don't worry too much. He told me he wasn't expecting miracles." Menakin said, and Core realized he was teasing. It was so much easier when his face wasn't the size of a pea.

It wasn't long before they reached the other side of the Celestine. As a ship, it was much longer than it was wide, and they were docked lengthwise, so it was a pretty straight shot from her training platform to the exits.

As they neared the exit, a towering, retracting door, Core caught a glimpse of the station for the first time. Cogopher said it was completely ordinary; a place for ships to refuel and do business before heading for places elsewhere. But to her it was incredible. Not for its outside appearance, but for its entrance and the promise the lay beyond it. It was inviting and its yellow glow made her eager to join the other people who ventured towards it.

"Take your time." Menakin said. "And have fun."

Gulping down her anticipation, Core headed towards the station, across a giant gangplank with high railings.

Once she stepped into the station, her eyes grew wide, and she gawked at everything around her, even as other people had to find a way around her.

Though Core had no concept of a mall, that is what the station most closely resembled. Shops lined wide walkways, each with a sign advertising their name for all to see. People milled about and veered into stores on a whim. Treats were eaten and shared as they walked.

Remembering her mission, Core moved again, this time heading toward a specialty store at the opposite side of the station. As she moved, she relaxed somewhat as what she was seeing began to sink in. Everything had a purpose and she really liked that purpose. She began to watch the people around her, and she found that it was them who mast captured her fascination. Up ahead, a man exclaimed loudly and held his arms out wide, then a young girl leapt into his arms and he gave her a twirl. A couple held hands as they walked. She recognized a lot of people were from the Celestine, thanks to their overalls.

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

She wandered in somewhat of a daze, until she at last found the shop she was looking for. It wasn't very busy and she felt somewhat intimidated when the man behind the shop's counter, an older man with a friendly smile, looked her way.

"Excuse me, I'm here to pick up a part." Core said shyly.

"Whose name is on the order?"

"Cogopher."

"I'll be just one second."

The old man disappeared, then reappeared with a box. He walked out from the behind the counter and made a gesture to put the box on top of Core-ball.

"I have a compartment!" Core said in a panic.

"I was just kidding, little lady." There was a click, and a door on Core-ball's backside popped open. The old man opened it the rest of the way and placed the package inside before gently shutting the door. "You're good to go, little lady."

"Thank you."

Core spun around in place and headed out the door. Now that part 1 of her mission was accomplished, she could focus on part 2, but as she did, she began to get nervous. Cogopher had asked her to buy something from a female cashier, but the very idea of it filled Core's soul with an unspeakable dread. But she tried to make the best of it. She looked at the shops as she floated by, and even browsed some of them for awhile, but only after she scouted them.

Eventually, her wanderings brought her to a sticker store. She'd never seen a sticker store before, but she was brought in by the beautiful and fanciful shapes that blanketed the walls. Before she could think, she veered inside and began browsing in wide-eyed wonder. The store had stickers of all shapes in sizes, from those small enough to decorate a pen, to giant stickers almost as big as Core-ball itself. But then she glanced up and noticed a woman standing behind a counter. Suddenly, her nervousness returned, and she busied herself by looking at some lion stickers.

Idly she heard the sounds of children, but she didn't pay them any mind until she heard a small voice pipe up beside her.

"Can we decorate you?" a young girl said. She was part of a large group of children. Apparently she was the leader.

"Okay." Core watched in fascination as the children peeled stickers and then placed them on her body. She couldn't tell what they were doing half the time, but her cameras did pick up glimpses of happy children. After several minutes of childlike laughter and arguing, the girl appeared before Core again and they had a brief and pleasant conversation, before the girl summoned her friends and they all left together.

Core watched them go and was filled with courage. She almost went up to the cashier, but then she remembered that she had to buy something. Once she made up her mind, she spoke to the cashier though she could only muster a shy greeting. The cashier returned it, then, to Core's immense relief, she completed the entire transaction without at any small talk at all. As Core left the shop, she felt deeply satisfied and proud of herself, and couldn't wait to show Cogopher what she'd bought.

...

As Rick opened another box of books, he caught Len staring out of the corner of his eye. He glanced up at her and saw that she had a serene expression on her face, as if she just enjoyed watching him work.

"I didn't expect you to find so many books out here." Rick said.

"There is a bit of a secondary market. The scientists need them for research."

Rick put several books on a high shelf, and as he turned around, he saw Len staring again.

"These are some heady books. I must say you've impressed me."

"Oh, I don't read them." Len said. "That's why they're on the top shelf."

"Then what kind of books do you usually read?"

"Weird fiction." Len said. "I'm reading a story about an assassin chasing a murderer who uses marshmallow-themed superpowers."

"Sounds riveting, but I prefer nonfiction, the more technical the better."

"That's also kind of weird."

"Is it?" Rick started organizing several boxes of books, putting each of them into a pile.

"So should I just go by aesthetics?"

"Please." Len said.

"I think the forest greens should go next."

"How about the navy blue?"

"That would work too. Choice is up to you."

"The forest green." Len said. As Rick filled an arm full of books, Len piped up. "How's your ambition going?"

"I'm already getting offers to join a research team here on the space."

"Really?"

"I was going to announce it at dinner, but since that cat's out of the bag, what are your thoughts?"

"Congratulations."

"Thank you." Rick said. "But do I hear a bit of disappointment in your voice?"

Rick placed a forest green book next to its new neighbors.

Len sighed. "Your ascension is going so slowly; why don't we go to the capital?"

"I thought you wanted to be a part of history."

"I want to be part of your history."

"And that's more important than seeing an idealized space open with your own eyes?"

"Of course." Len said. "You're a hero."

"That's going a bit overboard, but tell me more about the capital."

"It's the scientific heart of the country. I'm sure you could make connections there; especially if we cheat. We can use my family connections." Len said, looking enthusiastic.

"What sort of connections."

"I'm technically royalty."

"What about my servitude?"

"Art just did it to humor you. He thinks you're a hero too."

"That would certainly shave off some time. Let's do it; though I'm sad that I'll be leaving so many disappointed faces behind me."

"Just think about the faces in front of you." Len said with a smile.

Rick laughed as he saw his future spreading out before him. "Let's go then!"

…

"Come on in." Cogopher said, leading Coreball into his quarters. Core looked around in wonder; first at Cogopher's bed, then to the posters on the wall, then to the guitars hanging on the wall. "Now, what did you want to show me?"

"Open me up." Cogopher obeyed and as he came around, Core could see him clutching something large and flat in his hand. "I had to buy it. What is it?"

"A hamburger." Cogopher said.

"It looks delicious!"

"I thought you didn't like cooked meat."

"It has meat?" Core said, her voice rising in excitement.

"It has a hamburger patty."

"Hamburger! Hamburger! Hamburger!"

"What are you going to do with it?"

"It's a gift."

"For whom."

"For you."

"I'm afraid I can't accept it. It would totally ruin the vibe." Cogopher said. "Why don't you stick it somewhere?"

"I can do that?"

"You are the king's ward. It's probably against some regulations somewhere, but as long as you're happy, it's no big deal."

"Will you help me?"

"Sure." Cogopher tossed the giant sticker onto his bed. "Now what."

"What's that?" Core drifted over to an over sized desk with three large monitors sitting on it.

"That's where I used to record music."

"You don't anymore."

"Been too busy lately." Cogopher said. "It's fine; I'm still writing some songs in my down time. Truth is; it's kind of hard to create music on your own. Did you know I used to be in a band?"

"Then you got too busy." Core said knowingly.

"Nope; I just realized that we were a band without beat. No one liked our music and I didn't want to do covers because that would feel like selling my soul. The band's still together; my sister Irene greedily took over and it sounds like they're having a blast." Cogopher said. "Actually.... why don't you go see them perform? My sister's great with weird people and she would love the attention, especially from a cute girl."

"Sure!"

"Now what."

"Let me record a song. Please!"

"Sounds like a plan."

…

"Shall we start?" Rick said.

"Where do you want to begin?" Len replied.

"Tell me about our country. What makes it tick?"

“We're very devoted to the scavenger hunt.” Len said. “You could say it's our pride and joy.”

“You want the wishes that badly?”

“No, we want the recognition, I think. The wishes are nice though.” Len said. “We also love technology. In terms of progress, we are second to the Thale. We’re second in the standings too.”

“So we’re a very prominent country.” Rick said, excited. “How do we feel about foreigners?”

“We respect those who can get in.”

“I see.” Rick said. “Then do you think we should start with my samples?”

“I think so. But we can’t forget the video footage.”

“Mine does sound like a tall tale.” Rick said. “Anything else we should cover?”

“No, I think everything will be plain.”

“It sounds like we’re agreed.”

“Are you close with your family?”

“What makes you say that?”

“You never talk about them, so I was wondering.”

“I am not close at all with my parents, and I was too close to my sister. Mom and Dad were the epitome of neglectful parents, and my sister never could get over our sibling rivalry. But it’s no matter. Let her plot in her small world.” Rick said.

“How about your family?”

“They’re the opposite.”

“Do you help them with the cooking?”

“No, I do the drinks.”

“Sounds very wholesome.” Rick said. “Congratulations.”

Len blushed and beamed.

...

As the Beacon of Night descended on The Capital, Rick marveled at the city as it spread out beneath him. He'd never seen another city from above, but he believed that The Capital was probably typical. At its center were several skyscrapers which then became suburbs as they spread out from the heart of the city.

He sipped a coffee as the ship descended to its dock, then he moved to Len's side. She'd had a few destinations planned and it was still early in the day but, if Rick wasn't mistaken, she was excited to get going.

...

Len's first destination was The Spire; a giant spire of electronic screens surrounded by a facade that left it bathed in darkness. As they entered, Rick's eyes sharply rose upward, toward the apex of the spire. Each of the glowing screens represented two things. First, it represented a scientific achievement recognized by God, first by writing it in the divine history books, and second by rewarding points in the Great Scavenger Hunt. And secondly, it represented the reputation of each scientist whose name was enshrined here.

After starring at the pinnacle, Rick turned aside to a hologram; a miniaturized version of the spire. Rick loomed over it; his eyes resting on the pinnacle, which to this point was blank, and he imagined his name rising above all of the others in a sweep of all-consuming confidence.

...

Len's second destination was a collection of high-end clothes stores, to find Rick a new suit and dress shoes.