SCC Chapter 30 Fall of Olympus(6)

"This was most definitely an array related to spatial principles, probably a teleportation array." spoke a man Ansel somewhat admired. Though there were many that hated him, his expertise in certain fields was second to none.

"Why 'Probably', Nikolai?" asked the President.

Nikolai stood up from his spot, where he had been in the middle of testing out his energy, filling the patterns, causing the rune to light up.

"As you and I both know, there are many space principles. So, there is a slim possibility that it could be any of the others."

"I am certain that it's teleportation. What we need to figure out is the location of the destination. Ever since his return to the sect, no sensory apparatus has sensed Zeus leaving the sect upon his return. And considering the fact that he didn't appear during the battle, there is a very high chance he should have used this array. Nikolai! Can you find out the destination coordinates, or better yet, restart the entire array?"

"Restarting the array is far beyond my capabilities in the limited time we have. But figuring out the coordinates can be done."

-----

After listening to Ansel's report, the worry within Reed's heart grew. He stood up and went to the side of a wall, where a compartment opened up to reveal a chilled drink that was emanating a tantalizing aroma.

"Pantheon really was a sect of trash. They had such advanced technology, yet they couldn't even develop their territory. If they had, then even without the presence of Zeus, they wouldn't have lost against the Federation." commented the other occupant in the room, bringing a frown to Reed's face.

"There was a battle and you didn't participate. There was an interesting discovery, and still, you didn't leave my side to take a look." there was a question there. He didn't ask it, but those words and his gaze, were enough.

"I have decided to take on another mission instead. Looking after you. After all, I have a feeling you might do something dumb and stupid down the line that might cost you your life."

"What dumb thing could I probably do? There is nothing I can do at the moment. It vexes me that I am sitting here instead of doing something."

"Is your promise to her that important?"

Reed took a sip from the beverage while arranging his words.

"The moment I made that promise is the moment I became responsible for her life. My sense of responsibility is very strong... Unlike some people."

"Come on! I am responsible!"

"Says the woman who should have been helming her sect instead of being here, harassing the poor soul that is me."

"It's called delegating. And harassment?! Please! I am only making sure of your wellbeing. And if you had to know, the President himself ordered me to do as such!"

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"That is a flimsy excuse I could poke holes through just by asking the man himself."

The conversation had been supposed to go further, but an interruption happened in the form of particles directly manifesting within the room, molecules that bonded together to form a synthetic body that gleamed with a metallic sheen, coupled with blue eyes.

It was Paul. Reed had been prepared to maybe joke a little, but the AI's synthetic expression was perfectly mimicking a human's facial expression that was supposed to convey the idea that whatever was about to be revealed was a matter of utmost importance!

"Mr. Reed. Khaatam has detected an anomaly in space."

"What kind of anomaly?" Reed asked, with even Livia's attention grasped by the AI's words.

"An energy surge at the peak of category 4. It originated from coordinates that were originally scanned as empty."

"Where exactly are those coordinates?" Reed asked. Khaatam was mankind's greatest project. If anything were to threaten its existence, that would be detrimental to everyone.

"Just outside the effect of the Sun's gravitational pull, in orbit."

"Is there any danger to Khaatam? What of the origin of the energy surge?" Reed continued with his questioning.

"So far, it hasn't shown any signs of moving towards Khaatam. But the energy is still intense even at this moment. The scans haven't managed to get a clear image of the thing creating the surge."

"Have all the other parties been informed?"

"Many of them are even making their way over at this very moment!"

Reed was now torn. They hadn't yet found Lily, yet he might have to leave this place. That wasn't something he could accept at this moment.

"What about Mr. President?"

"I have already been informed." the man himself appeared silently, having teleported directly to this cabin. Of course this hadn't been Reed's personal cabin, but the captains'. Meaning that he had been the interim captain of the vessel while the President had been away.

"Are we going to leave?" Reed asked with worry gripping his heart.

"Of course! Khaatam is far too important. Besides, there have been some developments with the array. And it seems like Zeus is most likely at the origin of the energy surge."

"So, you mean that the coordinates have been determined?" the president nodded at Livia's question.

"I have always wondered why the sects, especially Pantheon, allowed the existence of the Federation, completely forsaking war. It seems that today, is the day we get to find out why. If whatever they have been preparing is dreadful enough, the Federation might be facing its very first crisis ever since its founding."

Reed was somewhat taken aback by those words. The implications were many. He hadn't yet thought that far. Even Livia was solemn at this point. And Reed was even catching signs of signals being transmitted from her portable communication device, a sign that she was in talks with her sect.

"We will be traveling within the mothership. Reed. Be on full alert, because if the threat is potent enough, we might die out there."

-----

FCY 437, 2nd Month, Day 20, 11:32AM

From his feet sprouted tiny greenish brown fibres which started to grow and weave into each other, turning into a thin film that started to spread from his feet to his knees, to the thigh, stomach, chest, and finally, the neck, where they stopped for the moment, encasing him in some sort of body suit that was flexible, and comfortable upon Reed's skin.

The flagship had finally reunited with the triangular mothership, and now, Reed was within his own personal cabin in the vessel, solemnly going through the transmitted images and videos within his mindscape.

Cultivators like Reed himself were on an entirely different level from their mortal selves. A non-cultivator wouldn't be able to block the Sun's photons from barraging their eyes, thereby making it appear too bright to gaze upon. But for a cultivator, that was easily solvable with layering spiritual energy over the eyes, or even adding a smidgen of their intent(for those in the 3rd and 4th realms of cultivation.)

But from the transmissions he was perusing, there were none that could show the true face of the object releasing the light, such that some had even already gotten their vision injured, with even healing slowed down considerably.

"Lily... Are you okay?" he mumbled out before making his way towards the bridge of the mothership. The minor trembles he could feel through his feet were a sign that the vessel was about to depart. Many more people had boarded it now, than during the invasion of Olympus.

(Sir! We have failed to glean anything through the countless streams of data sent by those who arrived earlier.) Latniss' voice echoed within his mind.

(All of you better be prepared for the coming battle. Our most important task is going to be Ms. Toba's rescue. Everything else will be secondary.)

After those words, he terminated the connection and took a deep breath. He had finally the rectangular entrance to the bridge. It was open, with people going in and out, and within it, he caught glimpses of the dreaded socializing.

"Mr. Mumaso! It is a miracle to finally meet you!" someone enthusiastically approached him from behind. It seemed that this was going to be a long trip.

"May I have your attention, my dear citizens..."

"...when Pantheon was invaded..."

The president started the tale, eventually finishing with the speculations and conclusions they had come to. He urged each person gathered to become more cautious.

"Boy. Cecilia wants to have a word with you." whispered Nikolai, which brought a smile and relief to his face. This was the perfect excuse to leave behind the crowd. There were many that wanted to chat with him and bring up nonsensical deals. Though there were many legitimate ones among them, his top priority right now was the rescue of Lily.

There was a massive shudder through the ship that alerted him to the fact that it had taken off as he walked away with Nikolai.

"I heard you were the one that figured out the array, Old man."