999 OCTILLION SOULS, July 15, 2024
II THE BOX 12, 13
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TRANSLATOR'S NOTE:The following information is derived from Information Seed 40 and received by the Gravitational Wave Observatory. I and AI performed a frequency analysis on it. IE edited certain parts to make them more 'readable'. (He might have overdone it.) Please feel free to comment.12
Another year rolled by on Earth. Just a year ago, Petra worried about the future. Her parents, while content, were often busy with their demanding jobs, and her younger siblings, twins Leo and Luna, struggled with their studies and social interactions.
Things began to change. Her parents, who worked in advanced technology research, were given more flexible schedules and additional resources for their projects. This allowed them to spend more time at home. The newfound balance brought harmony that had been missing for years.
For the first time, Leo and Luna began to excel in their studies. Social life in their community also saw remarkable improvements. Petra’s family started participating in weekly community events, from art workshops to outdoor excursions. These activities strengthened their bonds and helped them forge friendships with neighbors they’d only known in passing.
Petra herself felt a change in her personal growth three years after receiving the Box. Lila turned out to be an avid zero-gee fencing enthusiast. Petra joined Lila’s fencing club, allowing her to connect with students from other planets and broaden her horizons.
One day at the club, Petra floated into the training chamber. She loved the spacious environment with its floating platforms and energy foils.
She adjusted her suit and practiced with the thrusters. A boy, about fifteen years old like her, was watching her from across the chamber. He had a confident, almost arrogant air about him. He was already adept at maneuvering in zero gravity. Alex was one of the more experienced members of the club.
Their coach called for them to pair up for practice bouts. Petra found herself nervously facing Alex. She introduced herself, hoping to make a good impression.
Alex smirked and eyed her up and down. "You sure you’re in the right place?" he asked, his voice dripping with condescension. "This isn't a beginner's class."
As they started their bout, Alex moved aggressively, showing off his skills. There was an edge to his attacks that felt intimidating. He kept making snide remarks every time she struggled to keep up. "Watch out, newbie!" he'd sneer, or, "Did you even read the manual on how to use those thrusters?"
His words stung. Petra found it increasingly difficult to concentrate. The other club members, including Lila, seemed too engrossed in their bouts to notice what was happening.
During a break, as Petra tried to catch her breath, Alex floated close and whispered, "Maybe you should stick to something less challenging. This sport isn't for everyone, beh."
She nodded curtly and pretended to adjust her suit, determined to push through the session despite the growing knot of anxiety in her stomach. The rest of the practice was a blur of forced concentration and stifled emotions. By the end of it, Petra was exhausted, not just physically but emotionally.
Meanwhile, Legume and Charlotte learned about the many ships for combat and mining under Maia’s control, the factions Maia did business with, and the star systems near Maia’s main base.
13
In the annals of the Brotherhood of the Eternal Light, Brother Theophilus recorded a significant event that took place aboard the revered vessel, the Ark of Salvation. Theophilus, a dedicated historian, meticulously chronicled the incident that unfolded in deep space.
On the day Petra met Alex, Brother Theophilus was immersed in his studies within the ship’s grand library. An urgent alert echoed through the corridors. The ship’s communication system, usually reserved for messages of spiritual significance or navigational updates, had intercepted a distress call. Theophilus hurried to the command deck.
He found the ship’s captain and the crew already at their stations, poring over the data streaming in. The distress call was faint but unmistakable—a cry for help from a stranded vessel far beyond any known trade routes.
Archbishop Malachi addressed the crew. “We’re bound by the tenets of our faith to aid those in need. St. Trillian guides us to be the saviors of the lost and the hope for the hopeless. Prepare the Ark of Salvation for a rescue operation.”
The Ark of Salvation responded with the grace of a living entity. Her engines, powered by a fusion of advanced technology and the mysterious Wavej Field the cult revered, roared to life. The ship altered her course, navigating through the uncharted void with unparalleled speed and agility. Theophilus marveled at the efficiency of the crew, each member performing their duties with sacred purpose.
As they approached the source of the distress signal, the Ark’s sensor scans revealed the stricken vessel—a small, battered freighter, drifting aimlessly in the darkness. Theophilus observed the scene, noting the severe damage to the freighter’s hull and the flickering lights indicating failing systems. It was a miracle that the ship had managed to send out a distress call.
The Archbishop ordered the deployment of the Ark’s rescue pods. Theophilus watched as the pods, piloted by skilled members of the Brotherhood, maneuvered their way to the freighter. The rescue team worked swiftly, securing the freighter and safely transferring its crew to the Ark of Salvation.
Once aboard, the survivors—disheveled and weary—were greeted with compassion. Theophilus took it upon himself to document their stories, learning they were traders who had fallen victim to a mysterious dust cloud. Their gratitude was overwhelming.