Chapter 2711: Back Again

เผยแพร่เมื่อ 11 มี.ค. 2569 15:34

Chapter 2711: Back Again It had been forty years since Emery last set foot here. Alfa Station—known across the stars as the City of a Thousand Planets. A colossal, sprawling metropolis suspended in the void, it resembled not a single designed structure but a chaotic patchwork of constructions fused together over centuries. Towering spires of glass, steel, and alien alloys jutted into the darkness, stitched together with conduits that pulsed like glowing veins. Whole districts floated as massive plates anchored by invisible gravitic fields, giving the impression of a city cobbled together from civilizations across the galaxy. Yet, for all its strange, disjointed appearance, Alfa Station remained one of the most advanced and prosperous cities in the Neutral Quadrant. Tens of millions called it home: humans, reptilians, insectoids, machine-beings, and countless others, thousands of species gathered from every corner of the universe. As soon as the Azure Kraken crossed into Alfa’s orbital perimeter, a sharp crackle of comms lit up the bridge. [Unidentified vessel detected. Beginning scan.] A cold blue beam swept across the hull of the raider ship, crawling like liquid light over every surface. A heartbeat later, the space outside stirred with sudden motion. Mechanical inspectors—hovering constructs being, a meters tall. They swarmed the ship. Each one carried sensor rods that drilled invisible waves through the vessel’s frame. Finally, the inspection ended. The constructs detached at once, retreating into the dark void with flawless coordination. A voice chimed over the comms. [Authorization granted. Proceed to Docking Section Four.] The Azure Kraken’s engines rumbled as the ship glided into its assigned bay. The docking arms clamped down with a heavy metallic clang, locking them into place. Through the viewport, Emery’s eyes took in the scene—and nostalgia washed over him like a tide. The station was exactly as he remembered. The vast corridors of ships, the flood of lights from banners and holo-displays, the ceaseless motion of travelers. Yet, one difference was undeniable: the sheer number of vessels had grown beyond measure. Thousands of ships hovered or latched onto the docking rings. The airspace buzzed like a hive. When Emery, Varrek, and Brollak finally disembarked, they were swallowed by chaos. A crowd of thousands pressed toward the station’s gates, spilling over the docking platforms. Lines stretched far into the distance. Families clutched their belongings, soldiers kept hands on their rifles, and weary faces turned up toward the gates in quiet hope. "Refugees," Varrek muttered. Emery didn’t need to ask. He could feel it in the air—the fear, the exhaustion. Whole worlds had been displaced. A station officer approached them, striding with precise, formal steps. He was humanoid, but his skin shimmered dark blue, and four sharp eyes blinked in pairs as they appraised the newcomers. His greeting was courteous, though his gaze instinctively fixed not on Emery, but on the towering Brollak. Emery had already cloaked his aura, concealing the depth of his power until only the signature of a full moon magus remained. He preferred it that way—quiet, unnoticed, but still shows some importance. To the officer, it made perfect sense to assume the muscular raider was the leader. "Welcome to Alfa Station," the blue-skinned officer said, inclining his head toward Brollak. Varrek smoothly stepped forward, speaking on Emery’s behalf. The officer’s expression shifted with faint approval. After confirming their credentials, he motioned for them to follow. As a magus-ranked group with a grand magus among them, they were spared the endless refugee queues. Instead, they were guided toward a side passage with elevated security protocols. Emery noticed another, even more exclusive passage nearby—lined with golden wards and guarded by magus experts of intimidating caliber. That was the true VIP access, reserved for the elite powers of the galaxy. He had walked that path once before, in another time. After entering the gate, they were required to step onto a raised platform, where their bodies underwent a thorough scan. The procedure felt excessive, and Varrek remarked that similar security measures had recently been enforced at other stations across the Neutral Realms. Emery couldn’t help but be reminded of the situation in Tartarus’ realm. Were they searching for parasites? Emery pushed the suspicion aside, though unease gnawed at him. Once the inspection was complete, each of them was issued a bracelet—a sleek device granting access to all three layers of Alfa City: the upper, middle, and lower levels. The bracelets also functioned as tracking devices, allowing the authorities to monitor their movements as an added security measure. "Let’s go," Emery said. They split as planned. Varrek and Brollak would descend to the lower levels,. Varrek would chase down forged permits while Brollak hunted for ship upgrades—new sensors, cloaking modules, even hull refits to disguise the Azure Kraken. Emery’s path was different. The upper level—the glittering heart of Alfa Station. Reserved for the rich and powerful, it was also home to ancient figures whose roots in the Neutral Realm ran deep. Among them was the one Emery sought. The attempt to enter did not go smoothly. Extra administrators halted him, demanding both purpose and proof. Emery kept his tone even. "My destination is the Spectrum Garden," he said. "I seek my senior, Linnaeus." The officer stiffened at the name. Linnaeus was not only one of Alfa’s prominent figures but a legend in his own right. Yet that did not grant Emery instant passage. He was forced to leave his name, his message, and his request. Only with the Arbor Master’s approval would the gates open. "We will notify you through your bracelet once a reply is received," the administrator said, with the calm finality of procedure. Emery bowed his head in thanks but felt disappointment tug at him. Still, confirmation that Linnaeus still live here filled him with quiet relief. Hours passed with no message. Instead, a transmission came from Brollak. The lower-level markets were a frenzy. Prices for the upgrades they needed had skyrocketed. Emery let out a heavy sigh and decided to head down to the lower level himself. While waiting for news from the Arbor Master, he might as well browse the markets there. With some luck, he could find something useful.

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