Never in the history of the Starbell had its sole transporter failed so spectacularly, and while handling royalty no less. The pandemonium that resulted immediately after was, as the remaining crew members described, the thing of nightmares.

"You!" Eren screeched as he stormed into the dock where the moderators were still trying to comprehend their terrible mistake. Deeke winced as the furious captain lunged at him.

"How could you let this happen?" Eren seethed, his teeth gritted as a flame of pure, unadulterated rage burned in his eyes. Both of his hands gripped the terrified Deeke's collar.

The terrified man stuttered before managing to spit out a few words. His bravado from earlier had completely disappeared. "The transporter. It malfunctioned!"

The device continued to emit small sparks at irregular intervals despite being shut off. Eren glared at it before turning back toward Deeke. "You're gonna need to give me more than that."

"My engineers don't know why! They're running diagnostics as we speak, but that won't help the princess!"

"Bullshit! Pure and utter bullshit, you facetious son of a bitch!"

"Captain, please-"

Eren shoved Deeke aside, causing the stout man to land brusquely on his back. He then marched over to the subordinates cowering in their seats at the control panel.

"Where is she?" he commanded.

"If I may, captain." A mustached individual cleared his throat, carefully considered his next words. "We don't know."

"What did you just say?"

"The Explorers at the landing site have not reported witnessing her arrival," the man gulped, sweat dripping down his brow.

Eren slammed his hand on the panel. "Tell them to search the area. The whole area. She must've been slightly off target."

"Yes sir," he replied, "I'll send a message right away."

"Captain," a feminine voice sounded from the corner of the room. Eren spun to see Annah with her hands clasped over her heart. Tears rolled down her pale cheeks. "I'm sorry, I-"

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

"Quiet," Eren interjected, "I know you were just trying to save your own skin."

Annah didn't attempt to defend herself. Instead she broke down, burying her face in her hands as she continued to sob.

"An inconsiderate, self-centered excuse of a crew you all are," Eren uttered, voice hushed. The captain walked toward the window facing the continent, which was mostly obscured by the darkness of night. He placed both hands on the railing and let out a deep sigh.

With a trembling hand, he combed a lock of hair out from in front of his face. "Tara, please be alive."

~

Muffled noises echoed through her ears, as though she were trapped within a chamber. Tara winced as she cracked open her eyes. What is this? Is this the afterlife?

An overwhelmingly bright light poured into her vision, but soon softened to reveal an entirely new landscape that now surrounded her. The noises revealed themselves to be the chirping of creatures above.

Tara rubbed her eyes. Her body felt completely rested, as though she had just awoke from the best sleep of her life.

"I guess this is it. This is the afterlife," she uttered out loud.

Around her were towering trees decorated by luscious, green underbrush. Feathered creatures flapped their wings in the bright blue sky above as a gentle wind graced her skin. The ground beneath her feet was covered in grass and an assortment of different colored leaves.

Tara stood and looked herself over. The silky white undergarments she wore as she fell were slightly dirtied but not torn in any areas that she could see.

She sighed. "I might as well enjoy-"

"System booted."

"Woah!" Tara yelped. She felt her heart jump at the unexpected voice. "What was that?"

The automaton, slightly feminine voice continued to speak. "Explorer ID 0620: Princess Tara, I presume?"

"Y-yes." The princess placed her hand on her temple. The sound appeared to be coming from within her head. "Who are you?" She paused. "Are you my conscience?"

"No, miss. I am your implanted mission companion. I was surgically installed into your cranium prior to your departure from the mothership."

"The Starbell?"

"Yes."

"So I'm not resting in the afterlife?" Tara said, dismayed but also somewhat relieved.

"As far as I know, you are alive and well. Still, you appear to be without the proper equipment, and tens of thousands of ticks away from your target zone."

Tara pondered for a moment. Did she somehow survive her fall from the upper atmosphere completely unscathed? The possibility of such a miracle seemed all too impossible.

"I see," she answered, "Well, as my personal AI, what do you suggest I do?"

The companion didn't respond at first.

"Hello?" Tara ushered.

"Apologies. A scenario such as this is beyond my programming, at least for now. I require more time to assess our options."

The princess breathed heavily out of her nostrils. "Guess I don't have another choice." She took a couple of steps forward, listening to the leaves crunching beneath her bare feet. A winged insectoid briefly landed on her nose before fluttering away. "By the way, what should I call you?"

"Pardon?" The AI asked, perplexed.

Tara furrowed her brows. The question was a rather simple one. "How should I address you?" she clarified.

"You can address me however you want, princess."

"Fine." She placed her index finger over her lips thoughtfully. "I'll name you after my mother's beloved sister; my aunt."

"Miss?"

"From this point forward, I'll call you Mikey," she said with a smile.