"Mom, that Picard captain is awesome!" said the small boy, he and his mother were watching an old movie. "Meeting alien, venturing the stars, i want to be like him! the greatest captain in the galaxy!"
"I'm sure you will.." she said while patting the boy head.
"Hey!" the boy faintly heard someone calling for him, he looked around, then everything become blurred and the voice calling for him becames much clearer. "Hey! you over there!"
"Sebas!" He now heards a girl calling for him.
Sebastian snapped out from his reverie. The girl not far from him was calling him over the intercom while pointing at someone, their Chief.
"What are you doing!? stop dawdling, we have lots of work to do!" scold the chief over the intercom while violently waving his torch at Sebastian as if he wanted to threw it at him.
"Sorry.." said Sebastian.
He hears the girl giggles. Sebastian glanced at the stars once more and then continues with his works. This was his first space walk, his first job as a mechanic; he and his colleagues were patching a tear on the starboard, but he can't helped marveling at the vastness and beauty of the stars.
After working for hours, they were given time to ate and rest because there were more sections need patching. Sebastian and the girl were on their way to the mess hall, when he passed a monitor.
"We must work together to reach our new home-" said the lady on the monitor as Sebastian passed it. Sebastian stopped to listens the lady. "our future-"
"Sebas?" the girl called him.
"Ah! sorry.. come on Enid." He continued walking and the girl followed him.
While they ate at the mess hall, he looked at the time, it had been 325 years since human left earth.
Their old home, Earth is no more, they were now attempted to reach a planet named Luxia, which will take more than thousands of years. They all knew that they will not be the one destined to reach there, but they were told that it is their duty to preserve humanities and become the pillars for the future like their predecessor.
However, there had been number of incidents that could prevented them from ever reaching their destination. The most catastrophic was the malfunction of Artificial Gravity system, which they ran out of parts due to constant malfunction. Sebastian's chief suggested using the spaceship's horizontal side thrusters to rotate their ship, which worked, the gravity was fully restored, but only for a few months, later more than half of the side thrusters malfunction, weakening the gravity.
3 years later. Sebastian who were now 19th years old was having his last beef on the 25th of December celebration because there were no more cattle left alive. Only few animals, such as cats and dogs barely alive. While they can still grew fruits, algae and vegetables, this was the beginning of humanity loss of hope for the future.
Few days later, after the new year, Sebastian and his fellow mechanic were maintaining the power generator when he noticed a small object flew above them. It moved so quickly that it was disappeared in the blink of an eye, Sebastian shook his head, thinking it must be his imagination.
Suddenly, there was a loud bang and everything thrown away. Sebastian was able to hang on to the pipeline, but the majority of his colleagues were not so fortunate. After the ship stabilized, he flew to checks on one of his colleague who was floating nearby. Aside from a few bruises, he was fine. He then looked up and noticed a pool of blood forming on Enid's head. He jumped to her and brought her down.
"Enid!" Sebastian tried to woke her up as he laid her on the floor, there're a tear on her temple.
The chief approached him, carrying a first aid kit; "how bad is she?" he asked as he kneeled besides her. They quickly bandaged her wound but she was still unconscious. One of the mechanic then inform the chief that the generator was still operational but something prevented it from powering the thrusters
"That's impossible!" The chief was flustered. "Check again!"
the chief ordered Sebastian to bring Enid to the infirmary. He also ordered the other mechanic to cleaned the blood.
Sebastian lifted Enid, he heard the chief attempted to contact the bridge to inquired about the situation, but an announcement were made calling for all humans to gathered at the nearest mess hall due to an unprecedented situation.
When Sebastian arrived at the infirmary, he placed her on one of the beds, and the doctor strapped her to the bed and began to treated her. The infirmary was crowded, many were injured. Sebastian then looked at the image in the monitor. Sebastian was amazed and terrified to see a small unknown spaceship docked beside their ship; perhaps they were the source of the power disturbance.
The unknown spaceship detached and then slowly moving beneath their spaceship. He heard another announcement, the captain was requesting the president's presence on the bridge.
"Father.." Sebastian murmured. He left the infirmary and quickly head to the bridge. On the way, he passed several block and noticed how terrified everyone is.
Sebastian arrived at the bridge and saw his father standing next to the captain, conversing while watching the monitor; the unknown spaceship had latched under their ship. Sebastian approached his father, he was surprised to see him there.
"Sebas! what are you doing here?" His father asked
"Sir President!" shouted one of the bridge crew, "they're contacting us!"
"Ussaolss fruss, Soss fass loss Wortss.. Soss fass-" said the voice from the comm channel.
Then, another with heavier voice cuts him off. "Foss sass ursvusess ? Savurss selss dross osss doss vustonass", They then turned off the transmission.
The bridge was silent, everyone looked at each other, terrified. Then there's a loud thump, Sebastian felt his body was getting heavier and slowly landed on the floor. The gravity had been restored, but he was puzzled because their ship weren't rotating.
The captain ordered one of the crew to contacted the chief and inquired if they had resolved the power issue, Sebastian's chief responded that they hadn't and that he too couldn't figured it out how.
"Your order, sir?" The Captain asked William.
"I.. maybe we should try to communicate with them, telling them we are not hostile," William said, he looks stressed
"How about we send symbols or pictures?" one of the crew member suggested.
They then heard a beeping sound and one of the other crew member said, "They're contacting us again!"
"Hurss, Wess are Garbitianss, Wess meanss no amuss, Wess are the Feusstess"
Sebastian was bewildered, so does everyone else there.
"Did.. they speak our language?" said the Captain.
"Hurss?"
everyone were too perplexed to speak
The one with heavy voice spoke again "Uuss Nekthss, vess seul ultusass, vursass seu almuss"
Then they heard another one spoke, this time it sounds more feminine. "Oorss kesuss? alcurss uss ersiss, Feslass muss velmorss ess"
They turned off the transmission again, and Sebastian noticed something was flying above them, as does one of the crew.
"What is that?" she yelled, pointing at the several small objects, hovering above them.
It's must the same one Sebastian saw in the engine room; it's a spherical drone or something. Then they heard another beeping sound, it's the alien contacting them again. Everyone were nervous.
"Greetingss friendss, wess are the Garbatianss"
Everyone on the bridge looked at each other.
The captain said to Sebastian's father "I... think... we should reply them."
William nodded and requested the crew to established a transmission link with the alien, but they then realized that they don't know how to do it. One of the spherical drone then flew near William, he was puzzled seeing the drone swirling nears his face.
"Perhaps they want us to use it to talk to them?" said Sebastian
William was hesitant but then tried talking to the drone, "My.. my name is William Craigs, we are human from a planet called earth, please.. we are not hostile, we-"
The aliens immediately replied "Earthss? Wheress iss thatss? iss itss beautifulss theress?" they sounded ecstatic.
"Nekhtss!" shouted the feminine voice.
"Eiss enless... ah yess, Peopless ofss earthss.. we requestss permissionss to speakss with your chieftainss."
"uh... chieftain? you mean leader? i am the president of-"
"What iss thiss presidentss?" asked the alien.
"Lokss urss samss Valuvarss" said the feminine voice.
"Ah! the highss elderss!, Myss namess isss Sannekhtss, mayss wess boardss yourss shipss."
"I... uh..." William looked hesitant.
"Wess havess offersss that mightss be, appealingss.."
William looked at everyone on the bridge. Sebastian noticed that his father were intrigued but he also terrified.
"Your call, sir." said the captain, while the rest of the crew and Sebastian nodded in agreement.
Taking a deep breath, William then said "Please head to the middle section of our ship, there's a gate, we'll open it when you get there."
"Thankss Youss.." said the alien and ended the transmission.
William asked the captain to accompanied him. William also instructed the crew to informed the vice president Widodo and the ministers to met them at the cargo section airlock gate.
The captain told the vice captain to remained behind at the bridge while he was away, he then followed William. Sebastian and some of the bridge crews decided to follows them. On the way there, people were asking William about the situation. William reassured them that everything was fine and they were dealing with it now.
Arriving at the Cargo section, Sebastian saw Widodo and the ministers waiting for them there, they all looked confused. Sebastian stayed a bit further while his father and the captain approached the vice presidents.
William explained the situation and the alien demand to them, they were all shocked and about to argued with William's decision, but the captain told William that the alien had arrived in front of the airlock chamber gate.
"William! if i may" said Widodo "we can't-"
"Captain, open the gate," said William, dismissing Widodo and the ministers' protest. The captain nodded and instructed the vice captain to unlocked the outer gate. Sebastian saw 3 humanoid beings wearing a spacesuit entered the airlock chamber from the monitor.
After the chamber pressurized, the cargo gate unlocked. Everyone looked at the 3 figures entering the cargo area, Sebastian could feel the overwhelming tension. The garbitians were bigger than human, but the one the left is larger and seemed intimidating, while another was thinner than the one on the middle who was busy looking around the room with excitement. Sebastian noticed that they all possesed a tail.
"Humanss sefs ufss gragruvuss ouss?" said the one on the middle.
"Seiss ous Nekhtss! ilvess forss!" Sebastian noticed the feminine voice from the thinner one who yelled at the one on the middle.
They removed their helmet as they approached William. Sebastian saw their face, they resemble a lizard but were covered in green fur and had long ears like a rabbits. The thin one had big eyes.
"Greetingss humanss!" said the one on the front "Myss namess iss Sannekthss, andss behindss me iss myss companionss"
"Gersothss" said the large garbitians while crossing his arms and nodding his head at William.
The thin Garbitians bowed gracefuly towards william, "Ammaurithss, it'ss a pleasuress to meetss youss humanss". Judging how she acted and her appearance, she might be a female.
William greeted them nervously, he then extended his arm for a handshake, Sannekth look at him puzzled. Ammeurith whispered something to Sannekth. He quickly removed his gloves and enthusiastically shook William's hands, then it's Widodo's turn, but because he was an elderly man and rather frails, he was thrown away to the ceilling. Gersoth leaps to retrieved Widodo, and he nervously thanks Gersoth.
"Thiss funss customss" Sannekth told William. "Itss beenss a longss timess since we findss anotherss spacefaringss speciess" He grinned. "Anywayss, wess are heress ass a representativess ofss the Watcherss"
"Uh.. Watcher?"
"Itss our organizationss, Simplyss.. Ourss dutyss isss to observess thisss galaxyss and sometimess neutralizess any threathss"
Sebastian can't helped but to wondered."There're more of you out there?" he asked.
"Sebas!" William was about to reprimanded sebastian but Sannekth raised his hand to stopped him.
Sannekth looked at Sebastian, "Asidess fromss ourss speciesss, theress are eightss otherss speciesss inss the Watcherss" He said. Sannekth then turned back towards William, "Mayss i havess permissionss to speakss with allss of yourss subjectss?"
"uh... if it is for the offer we can arrange-"
You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.
"Thisss willss concernss your wholess speciesss futuress." said Sannekth
William paused for a moment, he then told the captain to bring a camera here; the plan is to broadcasted them to the entire ship. Widodo was about to argued again, but William just shook his head.
The crews arrived a moments later, bringing an old camera with them. After finished setting it up, William asked the entire ship to gathered at the nearest hall or monitor. They then began the broadcast.
"My people.. We-" William paused for a moment, he glanced at the 3 garbitians beside him, and then continues "We have a visitor from far away... and they're here because they have an offer that may benefit us all". William stepped asides to let Sannekth spoke.
"Humanss friendss, My namess iss Sannekthss, wess are memberss of the Watcherss, youss couldss say wess are somess sortss of guardianss of thisss galaxyss" He then laughed, but stopped after Ammaurith smacked his head. "Anywayss.. Afterss somess observationss, ourss elderss agreesss to givess youss earthlingss a chancess to be a memberss of the Watcherss"
There were commotion among the crowd there, and Sebastian too was flabbergasted.
"Shouldss earthlingss rejectss, wess will insteadss helpss youss humanss find a newss homess, but youss have to startss overss from the beginningss and left everythingss behindss" said Sannekth, "we'llss givess youss timess to choosess."
Sannekth then stepped asides to allowed William to spoke, but he was still in shock. The Captain poked William's shoulder which startled him. After some thought, William asked all of them to votes on whether they wanted to joined the Watcher or get a new home, using the same voting system they used to chose their leader.
While waiting for the outcome, Sannekth and his companion requested for a tour. William and the captain will personally guide them around the spaceship, while Widodo and the minister overseen the vote. William also instructed Sebastian to head to the nearest voting booth.
Sebastian went to the nearest hall and find people already lining up in front of the voting booth. Sebastian listened to their conversation; some were wary of the alien, but others were relieved to had a home like their ancestor.
After a while, it's Sebastian's turn. He was undecided about which to votes for; at first, he decided to votes for a new home, but then he remembered seeing the endless stars during his first space walks and the time he and her mother talked about the space adventures, which refueled his desires to see the galaxy. He decided to joins the watcher, Sebastian then returned to the cargo area to awaits the conclusion of the vote.
Few hours later, the voting was finally concluded. The result, 98% opted for a new home. Sebastian was disappointed, but he understood that everyone were exhausted and all they wanted were a safer place to live.
Sebastian noticed that Sannekth was disappointed. He spoke with his companions. Gersoth and Ammaurith then donned their helmets and returned to their ship. Sannekth informed humans that they'll contacting their elder to relays human decision, and he also asked humans to be patient while they searched for the planet.
Sebastian visited the infirmary. Enid was still unconscious. He inquired about her condition with the doctor present. The doctor stated that her injury was too severe, and even if she was awoken, she would been unable to moved half of her body. There's nothing he could do with her condition. The doctor also mentioned that the aliens visited the infirmary earlier and they were interested with Enid and the other patient condition.
Sebastian then heard the captain announced that a new alien ship had arrived. Sebastian walked out of the infirmary and head to the cargo bay. He arrived just in time to witness the arrivals of 6 more aliens, they were wearing their spacesuit, but they looked more humanoid and lacking tail. 3 of them were small and not even half his father's height when they shook his hand. They were accompanied by two hovering round robots with stubby limbs carrying a container.
Sannekth then asked William for some volunteers because there were more containers needed to be transported from their spaceship. William order the captain to find some able bodied. Sebastian, eager to see the alien spaceship, volunteered himself.
Later, the captain returned with a few volunteers, some of whom appeared scared, but there're also those who were enthusiastic like Sebastian. Sannekth opened the container, revealing stacks of spacesuits that were different from the one used by the alien, it was big and kind of looked fluffy.
Sannekth distributed the suit and told them to wore it. After wearing it, Sebastian and the other volunteers were now looking like a human marshmallow which drawn laughter from the people at the cargo area.
Sannekth then handed them their helmets, and one of the volunteers put it on right away. Her spacesuit suddenly shrunk to fit her body, resembling the one used by the aliens. Sebastian and the other volunteers quickly don their helmets. A message appeared on his visor telling him to remained still, he then felt his suit shrunk and tighten. When he felt it no longer shrunk, another message appears, allowing him to move. Sebastian tried moving his arms and walked around, this alien suit was much more flexible and comfortable than theirs.
After giving them the backpack for air supply, Sannekth instructed Sebastian and the other volunteers to follows the aliens. As they entering the airlock chamber, he noticed Sannekth conversing with the 3 small aliens.
After depressurizing the chamber, the outer gate opened, revealing a tether connecting their spaceship to the alien ship. One of the aliens grabbed the tether and pulled towards their ship. The alien beside Sebastian then motioned at him to grab the tether. Sebastian grab the tether, but the sudden pull caused him to release his grip midway and almost thrown himself into the outer space, fortunately the alien grabbed his leg.
When he arrived at the cargo bay, the alien assisted him to land safely, but he now felt heavy and unable to stood up, Tthe other volunteers also fell to their knees as soon they landed. Then a moments later it suddenly became lighter, and they were able to stood on their feet.
"Sorry" apologized one of the alien, their voice was soothing. "i forgot to lower the gravity". The alien then point at several large container there.
After transporting all the container back to their ship. Sannekth opened one of the containers, revealing stacks of smaller containers inside. Sannekth took one and opened it in front of everyone, Sebastian smelled something fragrant. inside the container are some kind of fruits. Sannekth opened another, this time resembling berries.
While he was preoccupied with the fruits, Sebastian notices that the aliens have removed their helmets. Sebastian can't believe his eyes; the 3 small aliens face actually resemble a cat, but everyone were more captivated by the 3 other aliens beauty; they resembled humans, but their skin are bluish and their long yellow kelp-like hair glistens under the light.
Sannekth then introduced them to human. The beautiful blue aliens were a species called Umistric, while the cat face aliens were called Lunluna and the 2 floating robots were actually another alien species called Haron.
They're here just to delivers food for human, and they'll leave as soon as their mission were completed. William and everyone else in the cargo area, including Sebastian, were grateful for the food, they couldn't thanked them enough as the alien returned to their ship.
Sebastian helped distribute the food. Everyone initially complained that the food looked strange, the steak was blue and the fish was weirdly shaped, but once they tried it, they all agreed that they had never eaten anything more delicious like this.
After Sebastian finished distributing the food, he took a meal box with him and went to the infirmary. When he entered, he was surprised to sees Enid has awoken, she was confused and still strapped on the bed, she's also alone in the infirmary.
"Sebas? what happen? why am i here?" she asked.
"Enid!" Sebastian quickly approached her. "but how!?, the doctor said-"
"It's those cat aliens" said someone behind them. "they came here and cured everyone."
Sebastian was startled, he look around and see one of the doctor entering the infirmary. He walked to the desk and placed a food box there, "I remember you, you're the one who brought her here."
Sebastian introduced himself.
"I am Alexander." he said while he untied Enid. Alexander then examined Enid. When he examined Enid head, he said "looks like it healed completely. What an incredible medicine..."
He then sat at his desk and motion at the 2 to take the seat in front of him. He then said "The cat alien examined everyone and then gave them a medicine to drink. Because you were unconscious, they instead inject you with some kind of substance and applied an ointment on your head."
"Uhmm.. Cat alien?" asked Enid confused "vote?"
"While you were unconscious, a group of aliens known as watchers arrived and gave us two options, join them or a new home." Sebastian explained. "Everyone voted for a new home.."
Enid is astounded "Really? Our own home like our ancestor? are they still here?"
"Only the Garbitians named Sannekth and his 2 companions remained" said Sebastian. "The cat alien already left."
"i see.. but still.. i would like to thanks them." said Enid.
"I'll introduce you to them later" said Sebastian. He then opened the food box he brought with him. "Uhmm.. you must be hungry, they provide us with some food, it's may look odd but it is delicious"
Sebastian gave Enid half of his portion and they start eating.
"Wow, this is tender" said Enid as she nip the blue steak.
"Right?" said Sebastian while munching a large piece of meat. "So.. doctor Alexander, what did you vote for?"
"You see.. I am fascinated by their medical technology, look at her, this is beyond our capabilities." he said while he wiping his mouth with a napkin. "I voted to join them."
"I too voted to join them-"
"You want to join them?" Enid asked Sebastion"why?"
"You see.. ever since I'm little, i dream to explore the stars, this might be my only opportunity, but.."
"Well.. We can't change the result, there is nothing we can do." Alexander then sipped the alien drink "wow! this tastes like coffee"
Sebastian chuckled, but then he thought of something and muffled to himself "maybe... if i could..." he noticed Alexander and Enid staring at him, he quickly said "Never mind"
Few days later, Sebastian finally mustered enough courage to talk to his father, but he couldn't find him but he met one of the ministers. Sebastian thank her and quickly head to the bridge after she informed him that his father was there. When he arrives, he saw his father conversing with Sannekth and the captain.
"Sebas?" asked his father "why are you here?"
"Father, may I speak to you privately for a moment?" Sebastian then turned to face Sannekth and said, "Sir Sannekth... if possible, I'd like to speak with you as well."
Sannekth looked at Sebastian for a moment and said "Veryss wellss."
William looks confused; but he then asked the captain if he could borrowed his quarters, and the captain nodded.
Sannekth and Sebastian followed William to the captain quarters.
William closed the door and asked Sebastian "What is it?"
"Father, I'm decided to join the watcher."
"uh! what!?" William surprised. "but! why!?"
"Father... i want to see this galaxy, ever since i watch those old movies with mother, i-" He told his father while William stayed quiet. Sebastian kept rambling about his dream.
"I see.." his father finally spoke. Sebastian was surprised to see his father had a faint smile. "Yes, your mother enjoyed those films; she kept talking about wanting to explore the galaxy when we are.. well.. that was part of her allure.."
"Father.. i-"
"If that's what you wished for.." said his father "Your mother made promised to always let you followed your dream. You know... when you wanted to be a mechanic, I was initially opposed it." William put his hand on Sebastian shoulder.
"Father.. thank you.." Sebastian then turn toward Sannekth "Please, let me join the watcher."
Sannekth suddenly laugh, "Welcomess to the watcherss, kidss". He then look at William "Mayss i speakss withss allss yourss subjectss once moress."
"eh?"
"The votess resultss. Iss Noticess theress weress otherss likess yourss sonss whoss wantedss to joinss usss"
William got no other choice but to let him. After telling the captain the situation, William informed the whole ship that Sannekth once more wanted to talk to all of them. Sannekth thanked William and then he informed everyone that the watcher will welcomed human who wishes to joined regardless of the vote result.
This caused quite a stir on the bridge. A moment later, Ammaurith stormed the bridge and she immediately confronted Sannekth.
"Nekthss! Oor kesuss!" Ammaurith looked furious "Uess loksuss valuvalrss samsuss! guslss sess urlss!"
"Don'tss worryss" said sannekth "i'mss suress elderss willss understandss"
"O Oorss saimss voruss! Ultuss afss!!" She shouted.
Sannekth waved his hand and asked Ammaurith to lead him there. He also asked William and Sebastian to accompanied him.
Sebastian could hear a lot of shouting at the distance. They came across a young girl and possibly his father arguing; the young girl wanted to join the watcher. Not only them, there were other who also arguing with their relatives or friends. William tried to calm them down, but they ignored him until they saw Sannekth.
Sannekth then approached the young girl, he knelled beside her and asked "What'sss yourss namess kidss?"
the girl suddenly became nervous, "Eabha..." she replied
"Hess yourss fatherss?" asked Sannekth.
Eabha nodded. Sannekth stood up and then asked William to gathered everyone who opposed their relative or friend to joined the watcher.
After all of them gathered, they followed Sannekth to the mess hall. Sebastian was told to stayed outside by William while he entered the hall. Sebastian could hear the commotion inside. Later after the commotion subsided and Sannekth exited the hall with satisfied expressions. His father informed him that Sannekth successfully persuaded them.
About a thousands of human joined the watcher including Enid and Alexander; the majority of them were younger than Sebastian, there's even still a child which most were orphaned or born artificially. Few of the elders also decided to join but they all concerned that they might not fit enough, however Sannekth simply mentioned about fixing them later.
Few days later, Sannekth announced that they'd finally found a perfect planet for human. He instructed everyone to prepared and brought only few clothes with them. Shannekth, Gersoth and Ammaurith then divided humans into a groups of 100 to take turns boarded the transport craft. He also told them to say their last farewell because they're no longer be able to met with each other.
William hugged Sebastian and wished him well. They then noticed Widodo and his granddaughter were approaching them. Widodo apparently decided to accompanied his granddaughter who was joining the Watcher, and he's here to wished William good luck.
They then heard Sannekth calling the first group to get ready in front of the gate. Before he leave to join his group, william give Sebastian his cherished locket. He tap Sebastian shoulder, nodded at Widodo, and left to join his group who were waiting in front of the gate.
The gate opened and a hunchbacked alien with head resembled a bird entered the hall along with several umistrics and garbitians, the garbitians appearances looked different compared to Shannekth and his companions, aside from their brown fur, they had pair of horns on top of their nose.
Sannekth approached the hunchbacked alien and they talked for a while before he introduced them to William. Sebastian saw his father waved at him one last time as he entered the gate along with the hunchbacked alien, followed by the captain, the bridge crews, Sebastian's chief, and the ministers.
After his father departed, Sebastian decided to head to the bridge so he could see the alien ship. When he entered the bridge, there were already 3 peoples there, Sebastian recognized them as the member of the bridge crews. One of them was stood by the window looking at the humongous ship parked a bit further from theirs.
"You're joining too?" asked Sebastian as he approached him.
"Well, exploring the universe sounds more interesting don't you think?" he replied. "You're Sebastian, the president's son, right?"
Sebastian nodded.
"Call me Rob" he grinned.
Sebastian talked with Rob and the other 2, they were Santi and Trevis. Both of them pretty much had similar reasons to joined the watcher.
Later, they heard the door slide, they saw Enid entered the room. She quickly approached Sebastian.
"I've been looking for you, Sannekth told us to gather at the mess hall near the cargo bay."
"Oh! thanks Enid" said Sebastian. "you're coming?" he asked Rob and the other there.
"Nah.." said rob "we'll catch up later."
Sebastian nodded and then he and Enid left the bridge and head to the mess hall. They passed the cargo bay, which was still crowded by people waiting for their turn to board the transport.
When they arrived at the mess hall, there were still only few people there, including Widodo, his granddaughter, and Alexander.
As the time passed, more people arrived at the mess hall, including Rob, Travis, and Santi. Finally, Sannekth, Gersoth, and Ammaurith entered the mess hall. He informed them that another ship would be arriving soon to picked them up and instructed them to left everything behind, bringing only a few clothes and the most important keepsake. When a child asked about the animals aboard the ship, Sannekth assured him that they will be taken cared of.
Sebastian went to his room and quickly packed a few clothes, He then returned to the mess hall. After everyone returned to the mess hall, Sannekth and another humanoid alien wearing a spacesuit made of metal entered the room some time later. He told them to be ready at the gate because their transport had arrived. In front of the gate, Sebastian noticed Sannekth's new companion isn't with them. Sebastian heard a loud thump.
"Amprss, openss the gatess" said Sannekth.
Sebastian heard a static noise and then the gate was opened. A short female umistric led a group of umistric entering the cargo bay. Sannekth spoke to her before turning to faced human.
"Humanss.. friendss, itsss timess to bidss farewellss" said Sannekth, "myss friendss Fendess here willss be yourss newss guidess" he motioned at the short female umistric.
"FENDE!? La seu elani Fende?" suddenly she become furious.
"Nekthss! Quitss teasingss herss!" scolded Ammaurith.
"sorryss.. sorryss.." said sannekth, but he still grinning.
"minu iun enna fende.. e! ie na-." said one of the umistric but stopped when the female umistric glared at him.
She turned to face the crowd and yelled in English. "Listen human! my name is Ferdel not Fende!"
Both Sannekth and Gersoth laughed, Ammaurith gave them a disapproving looks while Ferdel shot them a death glare.
"Anywayss..." said Sannekth finally stopped laughing "Ferdelss heress willss bringss all ofss youss to ourss basess."
"Follow me! human!" shouted Ferdel as she entered the gate.
While everyone follows her, Sebastian stops to spoke with Sannekth and his companion, who were now supervising human entering the gate. He expressesed gratitude to Sannekth, Ammaurith, and Gersoth. They gave him a warm smile.
"We'llss meetss againss laterss!" said Sannekth as he smacked Sebastian shoulder.
Sebastian rubbing his shoulder. He then asked "Uhmm.. i was wondering... what was Fende mean?"
Sannekth and Gersoth burst out laughing again, Ammaurith sighed and told sebastian "Fendess isss an umistricss wordss forss tinyss, pleasess don'tss callss herss thatss, shess isss a bitss concernedss withss herss staturess."
Sebastian nodded and rejoined the line. The airlock chamber gate was now connected to a long corridor, and when he reached at the end, he arrived at the alien ship. The ship was beautiful, and the wall was made of some kind of white stone.
Sebastian touched the wall, and it was wet, and he was not the only one who is impressed by the alien ship. One of Ferdel's companion there told human to kept moving. Sebastian followed the direction given and he finally arrived at a hall with a large window on the side.
"Sebas, over here!", He looked around and saw Enid standing near the window.
"Attention, humans!" said Ferdel. "We are about to depart; our destination is 2 cycles away; in the meantime, we will train all of you so that you can walk on heavier gravity; and we will teach you everything about the Watcher." She clapped, and the door opened, several umistric entered the hall, pushing a slew of tables piled high with food. "For now.. eat; we've also prepared a room for each of you."
Sebastian and Enid helped themselves to some of the food, which consisted of a variety of steamed fishes and vegetable dish. They ate while stood by the window, watching their ship getting further and further away as this ship sped up. Sebastian noticed another alien spaceship arrived and docked beside their ship before disappearing from view as the blue curtain-like light enveloped the window.