As I processed everything Theo and Elyria had shared, a new worry settled in my mind. "How long is the travel time to Earth?" I asked, trying to grasp the full scope of our journey.

Theo paused before answering, his voice ever calm and factual. "There are several factors to consider, but the most probable travel time is one year, give or take a month."

A year. The word echoed ominously in my mind, a sudden, heavy weight settling on my chest. Panic gripped me as the reality of what a year meant began to take hold in my mind. A year away from Earth. What would happen in my absence? How much would change?

"My girlfriend... the baby..." I stammered, my thoughts racing as I tried to grapple with the enormity of what I would be missing. "What about the invasion? Will it be over by the time I get there? How will I save anyone if it takes a whole god damn year?" My voice grew louder, a tinge of desperation seeping through as I imagined the world moving on without me, every moment stretching into an eternity that I would never reclaim.

Elyria, noticing my distress, quickly stepped in, her voice cutting through my spiraling thoughts. "What kind of factors?" she asked Theo, redirecting the conversation back to the practical details of our journey.

This allowed me a moment to breathe, to collect myself, as Theo resumed his explanation.

"Numerous variables can influence our journey," Theo began, his tone taking on a lecturing quality. "For instance, gravitational forces from celestial bodies can alter our course, requiring adjustments. Solar flares and cosmic storms present not only navigational challenges but can also affect the ship's systems. Additionally, the efficiency of our hyperspace jumps depends heavily on the precision of our calculations and the integrity of our engines. Unforeseen technical issues with any of our systems could either delay us or necessitate faster travel to avoid greater risks. Lastly, the traffic near gateways and potential regulatory checks by interstellar authorities could impact our schedule."

I listened, my concern growing with each point he listed. "Wow, I feel like this is all pretty dangerous?" I couldn't help but let out, the reality of space travel sinking in.

Theo responded with a hint of amusement in his synthetic voice. "Very astute of you, Caveman. Were you unaware of the risks involved in your journey? Did someone trick you into coming?"

"No," I replied, shaking my head slightly as I stared at the metallic floor panels, reflecting on my decision. "I just didn’t realize what I was asking for."

Elyria's curiosity seemed to spark brighter as she looked around the high-tech environment of the ship. "Well then, how about we check out VERTEX? Might be cool to jump in. I’m dying to see if I can find some music from Earth."

I nodded eagerly, feeling a mix of anticipation and nerves. "Yeah, I'm pretty interested in the tutorial. I feel like I know next to nothing about this world; might be nice to finally get some info."

"Good choice, Caveman. Well done, truly," Theo responded, his voice infused with a dry humor that I was beginning to recognize—even if I didn't fully appreciate it. I gave him a dirty look, though I wasn’t even sure where to direct it.

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Theo continued unfazed, "Follow the lights to VERTEX."

After a few shorts, which seemed to stretch longer due to my anxious excitement, we found ourselves passing through the doorway into a reasonably sized room. My eyes immediately landed on what I could only describe as pods from sci-fi movies, confirming my earlier thoughts about the technological marvels housed within this ship. "These must be where we enter VERTEX," I said, unable to keep the excitement that I felt despite my grief from entering my voice.

"Well done," Theo responded in a tone that suggested a smile, if AIs could smile. "But I am not increasing your intelligence expectations because that was very obvious."

I chose to ignore his jab and focused on the more pressing issue at hand. "How do we start this up?"

"Just climb in, lay down, and VERTEX will take over," Theo instructed.

Elyria and I exchanged a brief, affirming nod as we approached the pods. "Let's do this," I said, trying to muster a confidence I only half-felt. I was still reeling from the bombshell that I would be in this thing for such a long time.

The pod bay was expansive, easily housing enough pods for ten people, but the room looked like it could hold many more, even though it was just the two of us stepping into this virtual unknown. I selected one, its sleek surface reflecting the soft, ambient lighting of the room, creating an almost ethereal glow around it.

As I climbed into the pod, the initial coolness of the interior contrasted sharply with the warmth from the room outside. I settled in, lying back on the surprisingly comfortable, form-fitting cushion that seemed to mold itself to my body's contours. The overhead lid began to close slowly, a soft hiss escaping as it sealed, encapsulating me in my own private sanctuary.

The pod's interior lights dimmed progressively, mimicking the setting of the sun, and for a moment, I felt a pang of claustrophobia as the space around me narrowed. However, the sensation was fleeting.

When the lid clicked shut, the interior lights dimmed, and then, abruptly, everything went pitch black. The absence of light was complete, enveloping me in a darkness so profound it felt almost tangible. My heart thudded loudly in my chest, a mix of anticipation and a flutter of apprehension at this sensory deprivation.

Time seemed to stretch, unmarked by sight or sound, until suddenly, there was a faint hum, signaling the start of VERTEX. A gentle vibration began under me, perhaps part of the calibration process, but it was hard to tell in the utter blackness.

Then, as if a switch had been flipped, the darkness dissolved away, revealing a startling change in scenery. I was no longer confined within the technical womb of the pod but found myself standing in a vast, empty room bathed in a soft, ambient glow. The transition was disorienting, the sudden shift from sensory deprivation to this expansive openness left me momentarily unsteady on my feet.

Across the room, a woman approached me. There was another person in here! Where is was her pod? Why didn’t Theo tell us. As we approached each other she became clear. She had striking features, long, auburn hair that cascaded in waves over her shoulders, a sharp yet symmetrical face, and piercing blue eyes that seemed to assess me with a mix of curiosity and confidence. Her presence was commanding, yet there was an ease in her stride, a casual grace that made her look like an action hero straight out of a movie. She wore a simple, form-fitting combat suit that seemed both practical and stylish given our current circumstances, the outfit accentuated her athletic build.

Her piercing gaze was fixed on me. Her presence was almost overwhelming, and the intensity of her eyes made me uncomfortable. Who is this incredibly attractive woman?

"Welcome to my reality," her voice echoed softly through the spacious room.