It's been 28 cycles since they join the Watcher. Humans are split into small groups and mentored by a Watcher team. Sebastian, Enid and Rob are assigned under Sannekth's team.
They join Sannekth and his team observing this galaxy, they also once do a diplomatic mission between 2 spacefaring civilization. Sebastian learnt a lot from Sannekth, he is a great leader and Sebastian held him in high regard. He like to give a chance for Sebastian, Enid and Rob to make a desicion. One time they were asked to blend in with the indigenous people of planet Nactru but rejected by Ammaurith, she think it is dangerous and too early for them which made Sebastian and Rob a bit disappointed. But Ammaurith might have a point, because wild animals on Nactru are massive and aggressive.
Few plinks later after they visit a planet in Ve'ergla region. Sebastian is awaken by the blare of his alarm, he quickly wash his face and wear his uniform. He see rob exit his room. They both then head to the gathering chamber. He see Enid and Ammaurith are there preparing food.
"Finally you two wakes up" says Enid, she wave a fork at them
"Fariss?" ask Ammaurith
"Yes, please"
Ammaurith pour fari juice into a cup and give it to Sebastian.
"Nah.. i'll make oka", Rob walk to the cabinet and take few dried oka leaf.
Sebastian take a seat and enjoy his drink. later, Enid bring a stew and skewed leat meat. Sebastian hear the door slides and Sannekth enter the room along with Gersoth, Mafith and Lenoeth.
Mafith and Lenoeth are Sannekth's other companion, they , there's also Pulkth and Ampr the zetronian who is mostly stays at the bridge because she is the pilot.
"Where'sss Pulkthss?" ask Ammaurith
"He'sss busyss atss the storagess." says Sannekth while grabbing one of the skewered meat.
"I'll bring his portion."
"Thankss youss" says Ammaurith, she help enid arrange the food on a tray. Enid then left the room.
Sannekth looks at sebastian while munching a leat meat. "Heyss Kidss!, sincess i don'tss havess anymoress to teachss youss, wess are freess untilss the nextss 4 cyclesss, so.. any placess youss wantss to visitss?"
Mafith chimes in "Theress thisss waterss worldss thatss mightss interestss youss, What'ss isss calledss.."
"Atlentcass" says Lenoeth
"Ahss yesss! Thatss!"
"Uhm.. How about we find earth?" Sebastian suggest.
"Earthss ehss? actuallyss.. i'mss interestedss to seess itss too", Sannekth rub his chin
"Accordingss to the datass wess foundss on yourss shipss, it'sss saidss earth wasss goness beforess yourss ancestorss leftss earthss." says Lenoeth.
"Didn't the watcher had mapped this whole galaxy?" says Sebastian "Maybe.. there's some chance that you've been there already in the past?"
"Hmmss.. Noethss,tryss matchss allss thosess datass withss ourss archivesss."
Lenoeth nod, after finishing her soup, she leave the room. Sebastian decided to help Lenoeth searching the archive.
At the bridge, they use the computer to access the archive. This is the first time Sebastian seeing this detailed document from earth. Back then when they still at their ship, they were only shown a glimpse pictures of earth and it inhabitant.
Sebastian didn't know there are so many different species lives on earth, the one lives back on their ship were only a mere fraction. There's also data on species that lived really long time ago with the picture of their depiction what they could be in real life.
After searching the archive thoroughly, they find 10 potential planetary system with 9 planets and each have terrestrial 3rd planet. However 7 of it were recently visited by the Watcher which high chance that's not the earth they're looking for and also because the inhabitant isn't human. The other 3 looks promising, although he haven't check it further. He also found another one but it is listed as destroyed 321 millions cycles ago in lost planet archive.
"Found it yet?" ask someone which startled Sebastian, he turn around to see Enid behind him bringing a tray full of snack and drink, sannekth is standing behind her.
"We found some." says Sebastian while showing Sannekth and Enid the planet he found "These 3."
"hmmss.." Sannekth look at the pictures. "What'sss the archivess saysss aboutss thosess 3ss?"
"Thisss one havess a primitivess civilizationss, locatedss atss U'luxss systemss, archivess lastss updatedss 2041ss cyclesss agoss" says Lenoeth, she shows them the picture of the inhabitant, it's green humanoid being with really wide head.
"Wess calculatess cycless based on yourss timess wess foundss in yourss shipss. A cycless isss 4ss monthsss inss yourss timess. Ifss yourss shipss timess isss exactss, youss onlyss beenss in spacess forss 1044ss cyclesss." explain Sannekth
"How about the other 2?" ask Enid
"Thesess 2ss aren'tss goodss eitherss, bothss atmospheress aren'tss suitabless forss a speciesss likess humanss."
Everyone are dejected. Sebastian then remembered the other one he found. He show it to Sannekth.
"Thatss fromss the oldss archivess madess duringss the firstss alliancess." says Lenoeth "The onlyss archivesss thatss wellss recordedss." She add
"But wasn't earth only recently destroyed?" ask Enid "i don't think-"
"Hmmss.." Sannekth rubbing his chin "Noethss, whatss the archivess saysss?"
"Itss wasss struckss byss a largess asteroidss, Itss wasss Anrakyansss whosess foundss itss andss recordss itss duringss itss finalss momentss whenss anss asteroidss struckss the planetss surfacess, killingss allss the inhabitantss." says Lenoeth "Wess havess picturess ofss itss inhabitantss."
It was variety species of reptile like creature, some have long neck and other with beautiful crest on the head, there's also the with large head and mouth full of sharp teeth although it have tiny arm. They resembles the vicious creature from planet Archos they visited few cycles ago, Although most of these creature from the picture are covered with feather.
Sebastian look at the creature then remembered the picture he saw earlier, he quickly open the files and show it to the other. "Don't you think that resemble this?"
"It does have resemblance, but this large head creature drawing lack the round plume on its neck." says Enid.
They compare the other picture and found most of it almost resemble with the one taken by Anrakyans. Lenoeth deduced that the planet might not completely destroyed, there were surviving lifeforms which revitelize the planet.
"Thosess anrakyansss didn'tss botherss to checkss" says Lenoeth "declaringss itss destroyedss... Wess shouldss tellss highss elderss to re-checkss everyss worldss listedss inss thisss archivess."
"Thisss isss ourss bestss leadss. Goodss workss kidss!" Sannekth smack sebastian shoulder. "Amprss! Wess havess a newss destinationss, calculatess thisss planetss currentss coordinatess."
They hear a static, then a moments later the ship change it course. Then they hear another static and the robotic vessel at the corner start moving.
"Calculating. done." Says Ampr "It will. take. 1 cycles. to reach there."
"Youss hearss herss. Forss nowss takess a rest, youss earnss itss"
Sebastian can't hide his excitement, he quickly gulp the snack Enid bring for him before heading back to his room. Along the way he passed by Rob and tell him the news.
A cycle later, they arrives at their destination. They passed 3 planets which are similar with the data, those 3 are a large planet outside the asteroid belt, a planet with rings and a red planet; before reaching the 3rd planet location. To their surprise, Earth is still there but what they found isn't the beautiful planet from the picture, instead the land is a barren and riddled with craters, it also partially covered with smog and they can see several active volcanoes. Sebastian is sad seeing it, he hear Enid sobbing.
"Is that.. our earth?" ask Rob
Ammaurith hug enid to cheer her up. Sannekth tell Mafith and Pulkth to prepare the landing craft. After checking all their equipment needed, they all wear their suits and board the landing craft. Shannekth told Ampr to remain on their ship and monitor them from above.
They enter the atmosphere and then they found a large land that are less covered in smog and less active volcano, it also still largely intact without any huge crater. They see a remnant of a city, and they land not far from it. Everyone embark from the craft, Sannekth ask Lenoeth to check the condition of the environment.
Lenoeth take a device from her bag. "Thess airss iss pollutedss and containss highss levelss of radiationss,alsoss thess temperaturess isss lowss, butss it'sss stillss safess forss all off usss."
Everyone then remove their helmet, Sannekth loudly breath the air.
"Smellsss sulfuricss." he says. He look at the ruined city and motion everyone to follow him.
The ruin is half covered in snow. To cover more ground, they are split into 3 groups. Sebastian, Sannekth and Enid are heading to the center ruin. Along the way, there are lots of remnant of advanced technologies which make Sebastian wonder what's it look like in it heyday.
They separate to cover more ground. Near the building there is a large stone wall, something written on it. "New.. Boise?" Sebastian read.
He then check a long vehicles that got derailed from it track near the stone war, it resemble the capsule transport on the base. He wipe the snow covering the letter.
"Nadia's corp.. Nadia?" Sebastian murmur, "isn't that our old ship name?". Sebastian then felt his wristband buzzing, it's Gersoth calling them to gather at his location. Sebastian join Sannekth and Enid to Gersoth location.
They found Gersoth, Rob and Ammaurith inside a collapsed building a bit further from their location. Sebastian see several bodies of being wearing some kind of makeshift protective suit. Sannekth remove one of the mask, revealing a mummified face which make Enid gasp and run outside. There are visible self inflicted marking on the face.
"What happen to them?" Sebastian ask
"Wess foundss allss ofss themss buriedss underss the rubbless" says Gersoth
Ammaurith take out her medical device and examine the bodies, Sebastian crouch and examine the other body, there also marking on their face as well.
A while later, Ammaurith finished examining all the bodies. "Theirss boness were crushedss, butss theyss allss diedss fromss starvationss. Howeverss.. Thiss 2ss were luckyss, theyss didn'tss sharess theirss companionsss gruellingss fatess," she point at the 2 most messed up bodies. "Headss traumass, diedss instantlyss."
"Are they humans?" ask Rob
"Itss a matchss, yesss theyss are humanss."
"So.. there are few survivors left behind when our ancestor left earth?" ask Sebastian
"We should find and save them!" says Enid suddenly, she's back inside the building, although she still looks scared.
"Thesess humanss diedss 15 cyclesss agoss." says Ammaurith
"But.. there might be more survivor," says Enid "they need our help.. maybe we can bring them to a new planet?"
"Wess needss permissionss fromss eldersss. butss firstss," Sannekth look at the bodies and says "let'sss givess themss a properss burialss."
They bring the bodies outside. Ammaurith performs a garbitians funeral dance while Sannekth and Gersoth chanting a poem as they buried the bodies.
The skies is getting dark, they decided to make a camp at the city center. Shannekth light a campfire despite having an electric stove and lamp; Sebastian help Enid and Ammaurith cook their meal. While they eat, they hear footsteps. It's Mafith, Lenoeth and Pulkth, they've finally return.
Ammaurith offer them a soup, they take it and sit on the mats.
"Find anything?" ask Sebastian
"Wess stumbless uponss thesess largely intactss buildingss, wess foundss thousandss of documentss but itss isss mostly crumbledss, there'sss a computerss but the datass isss beyondss savingss " Pulkth looks dissapointed.
"Too badss thoughss, thosess documentss mightss be usefulss to uncoverss whatss happenss to thisss planetss," Says Lenoeth "Andss wess also foundss somess weird symbolss paintedss overss on some ofss thess wallss."
They hear a rustling noise, they all quickly stand up looking at the direction of the noise, then they hear something running away from them.
"What is that?" ask Sebastian
"Animals?" ask Enid concerned
Sannekth motion his hand to shush them. He, Gersoth, Mafith and Pulkth quickly check the surrounding, but they didn't found anything. Then they hear something like engine sound from the distance.
"Pulkthss, sentss outss sentriesss" says sannekth "orderss themss to surveyss thess areass."
Pulkth nod. He take several small drones from his bag and. Sannekth told Sebastian, Enid and Rob to take some rest while they stay guard for the night.
The next day, Mafith wakes up Sebastian and Rob. Sebastian rubbed his eyes and then wash his face. He see Enid already awake and help Ammaurith packing the camp. The other are busy near the campfire; Pulkth examining all the drones; while Mafith and Lenoeth checking the communication device. Sebastian and Rob then sit next to Sannekth who are grilling some skewered meat.
"Nekthss" calls Pulkth, he finished checking the data gathered by the drones "Droness foundss footprintsss notss farss fromss heress, andss a trackss," Pulkth point at the mountainous area "leadss to theress."
"Hmmss.." Sannekth rub his chin.
Mafith approach Sannekth, bringing a device with him. "Amprss sentss usss mapss ofss thisss landss ."
They check the map and there is a small settlement a bit further from their location, it also where the tracks lead to.
"Alsoss Amprss detectedss a feintss signalss notss longss agoss. Shess sentss dronesss andss foundss a large struturess nearss twinss smallss planetsss orbitingss the edgess of thisss systemss"
"Structuress? didss wess missss itss when wess enterss thisss planetaryss systemss?" exclaim Pulkth
Sannekth then gather the other to discuss their next move. Investigating all location might used up their remaining time, they have to go back to base before the next cycle.
"How about we split up?" suggest sebastian "We can cover both faster"
Sannekth grin and agree with Sebastian suggestion. He tell Sebastian, Enid and Rob to investigate earth by themselves while he and the other investigates the mysterious structure. Ammaurith oppose it but relent after sannekth assure her that this will be great final lesson for them.
Ampr sent a ground vehicles which double as mobile living quarters for them. After helping them pack the supplies on the vehicles, the garbitians board the landing craft and leave earth. Sebastian watch them as they dissapear above the fog. The 3 then hop inside the vehicle and Rob drives to their destination.
Half a plink later, they finally arrives. They hide their vehicle and walk towards the settlement. It's a small village but it is in total mess.They check the surrounding area and found lots of eerie symbols on the wall of some of houses and there is a big altar at the center of the village..
Enid is still checking the wall when Sebastian and Rob approach the altar, They both horrified seeing what lays on the altar. There are hundreds of mummified heads arranged there.
"What the!" shout Rob
"No! Don't! stay back!" shout Sebastian, he stop Enid before she could approach the altar, but it is too late, Enid sees the severed head and scream loudly. Sebastian try to calm Enid and bring her aside, away from the horrific sight.
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After Enid calms down, Sebastian ask her to inform sannekth the situation. Enid nod and leave them. Sebastian and Rob then approach the altar and examine the head. They notice the heads all have similar feature, they all have really pale skin and silver hair a bit different from the bodies they found few plinks ago.
They also found heads belong to children. "Urgh.. what kind of psycho doing this." says Rob disgusted
Sebastian shake his head, he is seething for whoever did this.
They then left the altar and wait for Enid. moments later they hear Enid running towards them bringing the communication device.
"Thisss concernsss me kidss." says Sannekth
"Let'sss headss backss andss pickss themss upss, Amprss! bringss the shipss!!" shout Ammaurith
"Youss heardss hers. Kidss, youss wantss to leavess?"
Sebastian think for a while, he then say "Enid, Rob, i want to continue investigate, if you both want to leave then i-"
Rob cuts him, "Nah, i want to find this bastard who did those thing to even a children!" he clench his fist "i'll stay!"
Enid looks scared, but she also choose to stay.
"Alrightss kidss"
Ammaurith interject "Atss leastss! sentss Gersothss backss to accompanyss themss."
"Don't worry Ammaurith.. we'll be fine" says Sebastian
Enid also try to assure Ammaurith. "We'll- We'll be fine, Ammaurith.."
"Youss hearss herss. Maurithss.. theyss too willss leadss theirss ownss teamss laterss, youss can'tss lookss afterss themss foreverss."
Ammaurith finally relent. Sannekth was about to end their transmission when Sebastian ask.
"Uhmm.. about the structure?"
"It'sss a spacess stationss. The otherss are now fixingss the generatorss."
Sannekth wristband buzzing. "Nekthss, itsss bustedss, Noethss suggestss drawingss powerss fromss ourss shipss" Sebastian hears Gersoth talking "itss willss takess quitess sometimesss to connectss itss"
"Hurryss upss, As soonss wess finishss thisss, the soonerss wess couldss getss backss to earthss!" says Ammaurith
"Whatss happenss to herss?" ask Gersoth
"Wess gotss situationss, i'llss tellss youss laterss. Kidss, I authorizess allss of youss to usess Corinthss. Do whateverss itss takess if itss meantss forss yourss survivalss. I'llss contactss againss laterss afterss the powerss restoredss. Goodss luckss" He ends the transmission. Sebastian put away the communication.
"So.. what we gonna do now?" ask Rob
"Bring our vehicles here, we will stay here for the night.."
"Okay. " Rob then leave.
A while later, Rob arrives with their vehicles. Sebastian then take a shovel from the vehicle container, and he hands another one to rob. "let's give them proper burial".
"Let me help.." says Enid, she also take a shovel from the container, her hands trembling.
They make small graves for each of the remains and they also build a gravestone with drawing of garbitians symbol of life and beyond. Rob then furiosly destroy the altar with the shovel.
After paying respect, they then return to their vehicle. Sebastian take out their map and discuss their next destination, Enid go inside the vehicles to get their cooking supplies.
"There are other settlement nearby, the closest one is there."
"How about this?" Rob point at the furthest ruin "it's the largest one and largely still standing."
"Hmm.. it's about a half of a ring to reach there."
Enid came back with a stove. She then sit near them.
"So.. Sebas, what we going to do tomorrow?" Enid ask
"Rob suggest we visit this settlement", Sebastian show enid their destination. "When morning comes, we depart."
Both Rob and Enid nod their head. Enid then head back to the vehicles to get the food while Rob set up the stove. Sebastian turn on the lamp but accidentally set it too bright which caused he and Rob yelp. They hear Enid giggle at them, she return with the food and start cooking.
While waiting for Enid to finished cooking, Sebastian and Rob decided to check the houses. He see somekind of air filtration device on each house. They found the largest house that still largely intact. There are a small chamber infront of the main door and the house are thightly sealed.
Inside the house, they found a bookcase, Sebastian take one of the book "Cinderella?". He flip the page, it's worn out but readable. They then check the other room and they find a large locket, inside is somekind of device with numbers.
"What's that?" ask Rob
"Maybe it's a clock?" says sebastian. "I think the number this needle point is to the time."
Rob then found another large locket, but this only have NESW written on it istead of number and the needle keep pointing the same direction each time they rotate it.
"What's this?" ask Rob while examining it "is this a clock too?" He give it to Sebastian.
Sebastian examine the locket "I have no idea."
They then hear Enid's calling for them, the meal is ready. They quickly gather everything they found and head outside. Enid is surprised to see them bring a lots of item. While eating they check the item they found.
Sebastian notice Enid is particulary fascinated with the book they found. Aside from more story book like cinderella, there are also cooking recipe. She mention she want to try the recipe when they get back at the ship. After finished eating, Sebastian stored the item they found inside the vehicle's container.
After the skies darken, Sebastian told Rob to activate some sentry drone to guard the surrounding. They then enter their vehicles and take a rest.
They maybe only slept for a while when they suddenly awakens by a loud noise, it's the drone, alarming them of an intruder. Sebastian told the other to take out their corinth and they head outside their vehicles. They see the drones are surrounding someone further away from their vehicles. Sebastian motion them to follow him.
"Let me go!" shout the figure as one of the drone lift them up. "let me- Wait! my-".
Sebastian see something fell from their face, then he hear the intruder gasping. Sebastian told Enid and Rob to hurry. Arriving there, Rob order the drone to cease and they lower the intruder down. The intruder is gasping and convulsive violently.
They have hard time try to hold down the intruder. Rob remove the intruder thick hoodie, revealing a really pale girl with silver hair. She try to claw her neck and chest as soon as they release her hand; her eyes redden and her mouth turns blue. Sebastian notice a broken mask on the ground near them. Realization dawned upon him, he quickly pick her up and run to their vehicles. Rob and enid follows him.
Sebastian told Rob to open the door. He then lay the girl on the seat. Sebastian tell them to quickly enter the vehicles and close the door. He activate the air purifier and the heater. The girl stop convulsing, but she now shivering and having a hard time breathing.
"What happen to her?" ask Rob
"She can't breath without her mask. Get the med kit and a blanket.."
Enid bring the med kit. She inject an anesthetic and as the girl fell asleep, Rob and Sebastian then wrapped her with a blanket and put the breathing mask. Enid scan the girl with the med device and administer the cure suggested by the device. "It should be fine now" says Enid, they all sigh in relieve. Enid then kick Sebastian and Rob out from the vehicles because she want to change the girl clothes so she could rest comfortably.
The next morning, Enid awaken Sebastian and Rob who are sleeping on the mats outside. Enid tell them that the girl is still asleep. Enid perform another checkup. she look at the device "Her vital is normal and her lung healed, i hope she'll wake up soon"
"I was wondering, where's she come from," Sebastian check the map "there is no settlement nearby."
"I'll sent the drones to search the area." says Rob
While Enid take care the girl, Sebastian help Rob release the drones. They then watch the feeds from the drones view. One of the drone found footprints which maybe belong to the girl, it follows the footprints until reaching a cave on the hillside not far from their location.
Suddenly Enid calls them, the girl is finally consuious. Rob order the drone to stay put in front of the cave and also order the other to scout the area surrounding the hillside. They then head to their vehicle.
The girl looks scared when they enter the vehicles.
Enid try to calm her down. "Please don't be scared, we are not going to hurt you. What's your name? oh! my name is Enid and this two are Sebastian and Rob"
The girl says "You- you're not one of them?"
Sebastian look at Enid and Rob. "One of Who?" ask Sebastian
"Underground people.." says the girl
"Underground people??" says Rob. "What a silly name."
"You- You're not with them?" she looks relieved. "Then- who are you?"
"Uh, we are-" Sebastian whisper at Enid and Rob "what should i tell her?"
"We are from a place far far away." says Enid suddenly. Rob about to say something but she cover his mouth. "Yes! far far away."
She look at them suspiciously, then she suddenly ask "Are you.. the sky people?"
"A what?" ask Rob
"Sky people!" shout the girl. She suddenly burst into tear. "finally.. we are saved.." she exclaim repeatedly.
Sebastian, Enid and Rob look at each other confuse, Enid then try to calms her. After she calms down, Enid carefully tell her that they are not the sky people. The girl she still insist that they are the sky people because only the sky people possess advanced technology and has a majestic chariot like their vehicles.
"I'm sorry.. but.. again.. we are not the sky people.. we are human just like you." says enid. The girl is dejected. Enid then ask "Would you mind telling us about these sky people? and.. what's your name?"
"Shanna.." says the girl. Shanna then tell a a story passed down by her father. A long time ago earth are at constant with war. One day, the sky people came to this planet long time ago, bringing gift of advanced technology to humanities. Under their guidance, human enjoyed a peaceful live, but there's a group called the underground people whose jealous of the sky people.
A war erupted between the sky people and the underground people. The sky people able to subdue the underground people, but they, in desperation used a weapon that destroy every living being in this planet. The destruction also blocking the sun and erupt the mountain. The sky people are forced to flee back to the sky along with any human they could save.
"Our ancestor got left behind, but there's a message, a promised that they will be back for us, we've been waiting for them ever since.."
Sebastian secretly record Shanna's story and then transmit it to Sannekth.
"That's interesting story, Shanna." says Enid while giving her a bottle of water. "Uhmm.. Are you hungry?" she ask
Shanna nod. Enid then walk to the storage and get a meal box, she open it and pass it to Shanna. Shanna look at the food for moment; take a small bite and then quickly gulp everything.
Enid wave another box at her, Shanna take the box.
While she eat her 2nd portion, Sebastian ask "Are you alone?"
"I don't know.. they were gone looking for supplies almost a months ago, they should've been back by now. Maybe those underground people, they-" Shanna point at the ruined settlement, "Those were once our homes, but the underground people came and killed everyone" Shanna clench her arm "Me, my father and brother along with few others manage to escape. Since then we live inside a cave at the hillside. Yesterday, i saw a light coming from here and i thought.."
Sebastian look at Enid and Rob, he then say"If you want.. we can help you find them."
"You will?" Shanna look at sebastian, she smile brightly. "Thank you.."
"So.. where's your family went to?" Rob shows her the map.
"They are at a ruin at north east from our hideout"
"North East?" ask Rob "what is that?"
Shanna looks at him suspiciously.
"Nevermind that," says sebastian "where is this North East?"
Shanna is still suspicious, but she says "Your map doesn't have any direction, uhm... we have a compass at our place."
"what's a comp-" Rob about to ask but Enid shush him
"Allright, let us pack our camp first."
Sebastian and Rob about to head out from their vehicles when Shanna shout at them to stop because they doesn't wear any protective gear.
"Oh, we don't need to." says Rob waving his hand
"Are you sure you're not the sky people." says Shanna.
Sebastian then tell Shanna how their people are trained to live under the condition outside. It's a lie but She seems buying it.
After packing their camp, they help Shanna wears Enid's space suit.
"Its a bit tight on the chest." says Shanna
Sebastian see Enid's face twitching. He quickly adjust the size.
When they finally ready to set off, Rob start the vehicle engine and drive towards Shanna's hideout. Arriving there, Shanna and Enid enter the cave. A while later, they bring quite a lot of makeshift weapon such as spear and club, Sebastian help them put all of it on the container. Shanna then show them the compass which they immediately recognized, she also bring her own map which shows the location of their hideout.
"Isn't that the same thing we found yesterday?" whisper Rob.
"This cave is facing south" says Shanna while checking the compass and comparing hers and their map "Then.. the nearest ruin at north east is.. this one!"
Rob then drive their vehicles towards the location. It is quiet far, they take turn driving the vehicle so they could reach it faster. Shanna want to try driving which after she keep pestering finally given a chance, but they almost ends up inside a crater. At the morning of the sixth day, they see a tall structure at the horizon.
They stop outside the ruin. They only bring essential item such as ration, med kits and shannas's weapon due to her insistance, and also an air purifier for her. The 3 secretly bring their Corinth and a communicator device. Rob want to bring their drones but Sebastian forbade him because it might scare Shanna's family. Rob then hides their vehicle under a collapsed building.
The ruin actually bigger than the map shown due to it mostly covered in snow. They've been searching maybe about half of the ruin but still there's no sign of shanna's father.
"Are you sure this is the right place?" ask rob
"I am sure of it." says Shanna "I remember that tall building."
Sebastian motion them to stop because he hear something. There's a sound coming from nearby building. They slowly approach the building, but Shanna loudly calls her father. There is no respond, they quickly run to the building and found nothing.
"Maybe a falling debris or something?" says Enid.
Sebastian then look at the sky, "Let's take a rest for now, we'll continue tomorrow." He see a housing complex not far from them which they found a small house that still somewhat remain intact to stay for the night. They seal the house and set up the air purifier. Enid open her backpack and distribute the meal box she carry.
While eating Rob ask "Shanna, i've been wondering... how'd you get food ? i never seen a single animal on the way here."
"My father says that most animals died off long time ago due to war.. except for bugs and few small one. For food, we have a rat farm back at the hideout and we also eat mushroom. Sometimes there were peddler from other settlement that bring fish, but we never seen them again."
"i guess what we've been through before meeting watcher still way better than here." whisper Rob
After eating, they chat for awhile. Like always, Shanna is interested with their home, which sebastian have to make up most of it, Rob doesn't help with his constant grin. When the skies become dark, they goes to sleep.
While they sleep, Sebastian felt his comm buzzing, it's Sannekth. Sebastian carefully wake up Enid and Rob, and then they sneak to other room.
"Kidss! wess finallyss fixss some ofss the filesss" says Sannekth "Wess uncoverss lotsss ofss thingsss, althoughss theress are no mentionss ofss these skyss peopless orss anyss visitorss fromss otherss planetss, but theress are recordss ofss warss beforess earthss enterss whatss they callss a goldenss agess."
"Accordingss to the filess, A groupss called nadiass corpss whoss weress the pionerss thatss laterss leadss humanss to whatss theyss calledss goldenss agess." Says Ammaurith
"Nadia? Isn't that?" Says rob
"This group, nadia, are they the sky people?"
"Theyss are humanss justss likess youss, butss theyss mightss be the basisss of yourss friendss storyss" says Sannekth
"Nekths" Mafith is calling "Theress are videoss logsss inss thiss computerss, itss isss corruptedss, butss theress are fewss logss stillss readabless"
Sebastian notice beside mafith there is a mummified body strapped on a bed. Mafith play the logs and they see a girl appear on the screen, she smile brightly.
"March 23, year 3157. The simulation worked, We are successfuly modified human trait, it's a breakthr-"
The log suddenly stop, then it change to a scene of the same girl holding a baby. The girl is much older now.
"January 28, year 3170. The first modified human, my girl.."
"August 18, year 3175. We begin introducing the procedure to the masses, i hope this will steer humanity for better, peaceful future..." A little girl suddenly tug her sleeve "Oh! you surprise me, what's wrong Lily?" the woman hugs her before the logs change.
"April 1, year 3185. An unforseen circumstance.." the woman now looks depressed, her eyes is swollen "even my girl-"
"April 22, year 3186. We still unable to find solution to reverse the mutation, i -"
"June 28, year 3189. Why they called them sin of nature, they are human.. like us-"
"December 25, year 3189. We are saving as many as we could, we will-"
"February 29, year 3192. More are joining their cause, but our allies manage to-"
The scene change, she now wear a spacesuit that are similar to their old spacesuit. "December 24, year 3193. We are leaving earth, We can't save all of them, but we-"
They hear a man shout at her"Helen! Shut it down! We have to depart! They launch nukes at us! "Helen nod and turn off the log. It then shows another scene, maybe at the space station, because the background are similar.
"January 1, year 3194. The war finally ends.. but there's nothing left on earth except a scorched and radiated land. For humanity future we have to find another home."
"November 5, year 3208. We found a potential terrestrial planet, approximatly 11.000 years requiered to reach there. We are diverting every resources to build an interstellar capable spaceship."
The scene change again, Helen is now replaced with a pale silver haired woman with red eyes. "December 4, year 3232. Thousands 2nd generation modified human are born, they-"
"She looks like shanna!" shout Rob.
"Shush! you'll gonna wakes her up.." Says enid.
The scene change, now the pale woman looks way older. "July 22, year 3250. So far.. there are no mutation and they are more stable than the 1st generation, than me.."
The scene change again and the woman is now hooked to a life support, she's really old, her voice is shaky. "A new year.. january 1.. year 3261.. few.. hours ago.. they finally.. left to their new.. destined home. All my college.. have long gone.. , but.. i'm sure they're.. proud.. , Mankind future.. is.. save.." her voice become weaker and weaker "It's.. so.. quiet here.. , i'm.. tired.. , Mother.. i.. " the logs ends.
"Thatss the lastss logs" Lenoeth turns off the computer.
"Accordingss to the filess, they experimentss onss modifyingss some of humanss traitss. That silverss hairedss womanss isss the firstss bornss modifiedss humanss."
"Modify trait?" ask Sebastian
"Theyss lessenss aggresivess andss otherss negativess traitsss and increasingss positivess oness suchss as emphatyss. Butss it seemss laterss theress somess mutationss causingss theirss skinss becomess paless and theirss hairss turnss silverss."
"i believess thisss 2ndss generationss are yourss ancestorss and shess isss oness ofss yourss creatorss." says Ammaurith
"The video also mention about war" says Enid "is that the same war mentioned by shanna? about the sky people and underground people"
"Thess warss isss causedss by a cultss whoss despisedss thesess modifiedss humanss. Despite the cultss earlierss successss, Thess so calledss earthss govermentss almostss subduess themss but inss the endss theyss usess thisss nukess to takess the wholess earthss downss withss themss"
"Suchss foolishss!" shout Ammaurith furiously.
"This cult.. are- are they the underground people?" ask Enid
"Yourss friendss taless mightss be distortedss withss superstitionss or mythss" says sannekth "Theress no mentionss ofss thesess cultss relatedss to undergroundss peopless."
"Wess also uncoverss lotsss of otherss documentss aboutss earthss thatss mightss inte-"
"Who are you talking to?" says someone behind them.
Startled, they turn around to see Shanna standing behind them. Sebastian quickly lower their comm volume.
"What are you doing here? I hear someone else voice?"
"It's Rob! he is imitating our leader back home." says Enid quickly
"Uh? what?" Rob is confused, but Enid pinch him "ah! yes" he start imitating Sannekth, they faintly hears Sannekth laughing.
Shanna isn't convinced, but then she says "i thought.. you were gone, so i-"
"We were just discussing for tomorrow, we didn't want to wake you up". Sebastian give slight nod to Enid.
Enid then grab Shanna's hand, "Come Shanna." and they head back to the room.
After the door close, Sebastian resume their communication with Sannekth albeit with lower voice, however Sannekth told them to takesome rest and added they will be coming back to earth sooner, there's only few document left to be examined. Sebastian and Rob oblidge, the 2 then head back to the room. They see Enid and Shanna already went back to sleep. Sebastian lie down beside the door and wonder about the logs they saw before falling asleep.