SCC Chapter 13 Party of plots(3)

Red Dust city had a fundamental difference from those metropolises back on Earth. And that difference wasn't limited to just it, but every single city on the red planet. The difference was the lack of greenery, in other words, plant life. Plant life did exist, but in enclosures that served to protect it from the harsh climate of the planet. Instead, this and the other cities, were fully filled with unnatural things, that gave one the impression of being fully metallic urban monsters.

As the vehicle threaded through the dense network of traffic, Reed could see that the city was a hub for business, with every single street lined with stores. Food was the most prominent business idea, with the next, being beverages.

Almost 30 minutes later, the autonomous vehicle arrived before the behemothic walls that kept the even harsher elements of Mars away from the city proper. A long line of vehicles, personal, chartered and cargo, were situated along that route, causing a traffic jam for kilometers.

"It looks like it will be a while before we can go out." he commented.

"Is it always this troublesome on the planet?" Lily asked.

"Mars, with its inhospitable nature, isn't really conducive for human settlement. So, why do you think there are many settlers?" asked Reed to see whether she could come up with an answer.

"There are a wide range of legitimate reasons and the rumors. What is the real truth?" she asked.

"Alien ruins."

"I had thought that those were rumors!" her eyes widened for a moment.

"It is the truth. Though, most of the findings have decayed extensively, thereby making their excavation a pointless endeavor. Only some small rare materials are found occasionally, selling for astronomical prices at auctions."

"You said 'most.' Are there some intact ruins?" she asked.

"That's what the Federation believes. After all, the sects were the first to step into space. Though arrogant, there were still some with a sense of adventure among them." commented Reed. There was a yearning within him too. He wanted to get a warp capable ship, hop on it, and see what kind of miraculous things exist in the universe. But, he couldn't. Not before getting revenge for himself and the person who had been closest to him.

A group of thugs had done it, but the agents that had saved him from said thugs had told the truth.

"I am sure there must be technology advanced enough to tame the wild Mars, like your biotechnology. I don't believe you lack a species that can grow in this environment." Lily gazed at him skeptically.

"All you just have to know, is that many companies ride on the importation of food onto this planet. After I deal with the matter of that man, I will have no burden. That means that I won't passively watch as my wealth accumulates. Do you know that most of my money is being kept as cash somewhere?"

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"You could solve many problems. Your Auto-cul has been made available to every citizen, through the Federation, but it alone can't solve everything."

"Ms. Toba. I don't want to head onto the political track. There will be many checks and balances, thereby restricting what I can do."

After that explanation, their breaths could be heard within the vehicle, a sign of the fact that their small talk had been about to enter a hot stage.

Before their conversation could continue though, their transport drove through the walls and onto the other side, where the light from the sun finally made it into the car. There had been many obstructions within the city, from skyscrapers, to vehicles, to even levitating buildings.

An uncomfortable silence enveloped them like a blanket. Reed felt like squirming in his seat. And there was nothing that came to mind that could alleviate the atmosphere.

"I am sorry for trying to impose my views upon you, Mr. Mumaso." she said after almost a kilometer was traveled, with the dust cloud left by the vehicles upfront almost obscuring the view outside.

"It's okay. I too, have the same views. But for now, I don't want to get involved in too many things before my current problem is resolved." Reed breathed out a sigh of relief as finally, the uncertain atmosphere had been broken.

After that short conversation, Reed directed his gaze out the window, where red monolithic rocks and cliffs could be seen. The rest of the ground below was a dust laden soil that would only settle when the scheduled rains came. And sometimes, dust storms would be set off. Though, since the planetary core was weak, and the atmosphere, artificial, the climate was essentially bearable by cultivators of every realm as the planet was sparse of spiritual energy.

That was one of the reasons why the cities had energy domes. They kept the spirit energy within, preventing it from dispersing, thereby allowing cultivators to exist.

The vehicle stopped after a day of traveling, with the night particularly colder than those on Earth. After alighting, Lily looked around in puzzlement, even spreading her divine sense to try and puzzle out where they were. They had been left at a relatively open space only occupied by crimson monoliths.

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"I had thought our destination was another city."

"We have arrived."

Walking a few meters in, the world changed. It had been akin to stepping through a bubble, completely changing the reality of the place. That was how she realized that she had stepped through an illusory formation.

Infront of them stood a lone cottage, constructed from wood that seemed to have witnessed the passage of time.

"They should have revamped the formation." mumbled Reed beside her, but her attention was mostly taken up by the vibrant green surrounding the cottage. The green wasn't composed of some recreational plant species, but instead was a farm of plants, mostly vegetables, all with a spiritual nature. She could sense those that gave off a dense presence, meaning that they had reached the third grade.

Watermelons, tomatoes, onions, peppers... And many other plants, made up the farm. Her gaze moved away from the greenery when the door of the cottage was opened from the inside and a man with white sideburns with a black centre, stepped out of the cottage. He wasn't muscular, but his body appeared to be well toned. The beach shorts and shirt though, were inelegant to her. The attire appeared too out of place with the rest of the scenery.

"Brat Reed. Are you disappointed that I am the welcome party? Your expression most definitely changed for a mere moment. I could remind you if you forgot." The man walked towards them through the path, composed of rough stones, each having its own unique shape, yet seamlessly fitting together as if part of a shattered whole.

"Old geezer! Haven't I warned you about the barrier. You are lucky Ms. Toba was a friend!"

"Come on! Do you really think I would be that careless when my precious Cecilia is here? I could never make such an amateur mistake. We had already noticed the two of you the moment you alighted, courtesy of my new surveillance system." beamed the man, who didn't look much older than his 30s.

Lily's eyes widened momentarily when her memory finally managed to pin the man. He was a distinguished gentleman in the circles of analysts and theorists. Nikolai kadershev.

He had proposed a civilisation scale, one that had caused an uproar at the time. Even she could remember that turmoil perfectly. Many figures still refused to believe his theory, taking it to be the hubris of an insane man who had wanted attention.

"You must be Ms. Toba. Welcome to our humble abode. How do you rate the place?"

"Is that really a question that should be asked, old man?"

"Of course! If you can't accept criticism for your work, how can you improve?"

"I have dabbled in farming a little bit, Mr. Kardashev. I must say, it's impressive to keep a farm of this scale properly maintained on this planet, even with a barrier array. Though, I must admit... I don't think you have the patience for all this."

Reed chuckled while the man acted as if he had taken a hit.

"Of that, you are absolutely right. My great wife is the one who cares for the garden. Come. Let's go meet her."

And with that invitation, all of them headed towards the cottage. Now, that Lily was getting closer, she took the chance to observe it, this time noticing the patio, where a wooden chair, one long enough to seat three people, could be seen.