The luxury carrier's speed slowed down to a crawl. Everyone took a break from their conversation about school and studying to look out the window. The seemingly endless desert had faded and turned into a vibrant green hills with maple and oak trees dotting the landscape. The elevation outside rose sharply, soon putting the peaks of the trees into view from the vehicle's windows.

"Welcome to the Grani Estate!" Mag said enthusiastically. He turned his head towards the front of the carrier, looking out through the driver window. "We'll be home in just a couple of minutes."

"Finally!" Sheila exclaimed with relief. "We can get somewhere with proper air conditioning."

Mag kept his head from obstructing the view of the approaching estate through the driver’s window. Janus and Itzel stared out through the two panes of glass, both becoming entranced upon seeing the building itself rise from over the horizon. The estate had a sleek design; it was angular with black tinted windows that covered every side. Long stilts stuck up from the ground, balancing the base of the building against the hilly nature of its foundation.

Attached to the side was a large dome that dwarfed the size of the home itself. It consisted of elaborate poles and wires that created a complex series of polygonal shapes. The windows that covered the corners were just transparent enough to give a glimpse of the contents inside. A dark green seeped through, and as the carrier got closer, the shape of leaves and branches could be seen.

"What is that?" Janus said at a barely audible tone.

"Oh, the Eco-Dome?" Mag said. "It's something that has been in our family for a while. Think of it as our own little section of a forest. Not too much vegetation can grow out near Sano Mosado. But since my father was an outdoorsman, he developed a dome that can have its climate controlled to support all manner of life.”

"You never heard of one?" Sheila asked.

"I have," Itzel replied, staring at the massive structure as the carrier lowered itself towards a landing pad adjacent to the estate. "But I never thought I'd see one in person. I know they're unfathomably expensive to build. And they have to be just as pricey to maintain."

"You're right about both of those statements," Mag said with a chuckle. He stretched his arm and let out a long yawn. "Keeping an Eco-Dome isn't something that most people can do, let alone cities."

"Maybe Labrisson should get one," Janus said. "People would probably pay good money to see something other than concrete and Essencima."

"Yeah, the same city that can only afford to pay for two officers for an entire sector should divert some of its non-existent funds to an attraction that will get demolished by an Ogre within a month's time," Itzel shot back.

This book's true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.

"I was just making a suggestion," Janus said quietly.

"Sorry. Can't help be a bit envious."

"If it's any consolation, you're more than welcome to take a stroll through it," Mag said. "It is the prize possession of the Grani family. There's nothing we like more than showing it off to interested individuals."

"I'd love to take you up on that," Itzel replied.

"Me too!" Gurk added.

"Perhaps we can get a bit of hiking and exploration in once we've settled back into the estate, Father!" Sheila said as she hopped out of her seat with excitement.

"I'm not against the idea. But you know how long it takes to get everything set for guests. Not to mention I have an important business call planned in just a few moments. But if these three are willing to wait a bit, I don't see any harm in letting the Labrisson Slayers get a little tour of our Eco-Dome."

"We've still got a good while before we need to be in Sano Mosado for the exhibition. I think a tour would be a great way to help kill the time until then," Itzel said.

"We'll arrange something then," Mag said. He reached over and pushed open the side door of the carrier. "Sheila, could you show the guests to the entertainment room? They can stay there for the time being."

The carrier began to hover in place. It then lowered slowly above a concrete platform a short walk away from the Grani’s home. There was the sound of jet engines firing off as the descent of the vehicle continued.

"Of course, Father!" Sheila took hold of Gurk's hand with both of hers. "Come, let me show you around our home!" She then gave a brief tug and pulled off his seat. In a staggered manner, he left the carrier and followed Sheila down the steps towards the landing platform.

"Hey, wait a second!" Itzel said as she stretched out one hand darted behind Gurk. Janus got up and exited the vehicle third. After taking a few steps out into the sunlight, Janus shut his eyes and bobbed his head back. He put one hand above him, blocking out the sudden rush of sunlight that nearly blinded him. Janus panned his view across the horizon. In the distance, the desert looked to continue for infinity in both directions. As his half-closed eyes moved closer towards the ground that the estate was situated on, color slowly came back. The brown and yellow gave way to muted greens.

The air was still hot, but it was accompanied with the sweet scent of trees. Janus took in another deep whiff of the air, smiling as the aroma tantalized his nostrils. "Refreshing," he said underneath his breath.

"Just follow me, you three," Sheila said as she waved towards Janus. "I'd like to show you around my home!"

"All right," Gurk mumbled, his hands still in Sheila's clutches. She continued across the landing platform, leading them through a bridge that connected the parking area for the carrier to the main structure of the estate. Before stepping onto the bridge, Janus looked behind him and saw that Mag had his projection up. His expression took a serious turn from the friendly demeanor he had inside the carrier. He was chatting with someone on the screen, only to close it once he realized Janus was looking at him. Mag made a shooing motion with his hand.

"Go on without me," he called out from his seat inside the vehicle. "I'll catch up with all of you later." Mag then shut the carrier's door shut.

"Everything good Janus?" Itzel called out from the middle of the bridge. He turned around and placed his hand above his eyes again to mitigate the brightness of the sunlight.

"Yeah, yeah," Janus called back before sprinting to catch up with the rest of the group.

Mag must be a busy man, Janus thought to himself as he met up with Itzel and the others in the center of the bridge.