Mika's point of view
Mika was in her favorite black maxi dress, as she confidently made her way inside a towering facility.
She works in the heart of Camati where the energy thrives. The structure was known as the Main Chamber, the symbol of the human base. It was as high as the sky, making the highest point unseen by the naked eye.
Her red stilettos clicked on her every step. She did not mind the stares of her co-workers filled with awe and envy.
Who wouldn't?
She was officially appointed as the chief engineer of Project Lanov, the youngest among her peers. It wasn't an easy feat for others. However, as the only granddaughter of the previous chief engineer, things were different in her case.
Mika spent her youth with this project. She witnessed its conception from a tiny meteorite to its now majestic state, making her more intimately familiar with it than anyone, even her grandfather.
Her laboratory was located on the highest floor, the main penthouse for one particular reason.
The energy capsule-proof glass door vertically opened after scanning her core. In the center of her laboratory, the humongous tail of her current project came into view.
Her facility has an intentional gap on the roof. It was to allow its body to wander around. She could see it moving, swimming in the air, but its tail was firmly attached to the main down to the ground floor.
She whispered, "No matter how far he goes, he has to come back."
Her grip on the chip containing the project files tightened. It was finally in her hands. "Cathy, report the compatibility of the sample."
A curly-haired woman appeared out of nowhere, "It was steadily increasing to 75%."
"Increase the dosage and calculate when it would reach 100." Mika smoothly wore her laboratory coat, as she steadily walked towards the center.
Her steps slowed, "I want the results as soon as possible."
The woman named Cathy monotonously replied, "Yes, ma'am."
The laboratory was big, enough to shelter thousands of people. But no other shadow could be seen aside from Mika's.
She operates alone with an artificial intelligence named Cathy and a mecha called Cera. Both were her only support because she never trusted any of her kind, even those related to her by blood.
She was a product of nepotism, but no one can deny her abilities. Through her painstaking efforts, she paved her way to the top of the pyramid, not minding the people she stepped on to earn her spot.
Her sight moved to a large capsule behind the tail. A white-haired child was floating in the solution with numerous wires connected to his body, monitoring its vital signs and other necessary data.
He is the sole sample for the project, the future brain of Lanov.
Mika's eyes were filled with satisfaction. "In the future, you will not just fly in this base." Her gaze shifted to the majestic tail. "But all over 204D."
She learned from the files that the kid was sold by his family after plunging into a persistent vegetative state. All of them thought, he would surely die and so, gave him to the main after finding out his worth.
They decided to sell him for their selfish desires.
Disgust was all over her face. "Love was nonexistent in the lower society."
Unfortunately, the kid was the only one among the billions of citizens in Base C. He was the only one with a compatibility rating of 50%, making him the best sample.
Even if he is not sold to the main, they will do whatever it takes to get him.
Mika coldly stared at the slumbering kid, then turned her gaze to her obsession.
"He should be grateful."
-------
They ate until they were full, especially the hungry visitors.
With Pane's secret request, the trio showed their weapons to Devon.
He knew of the kid's passion for new things. They invited Devon to glimpse at their weapons and patiently responded to his inquiries, even those that made them questioningly look at the kid's guardian.
Rafiel sighed, "You spoil him, Pane."
However, Devon didn't notice that whenever his hands would reach the weapon, everyone was on alert. They would quietly observe and follow his movements.
He timidly looked at the person he thought the kindest among the trio, "Sir Rafiel, can I touch your weapon?"
"Why?" But the man readily gave him his gigantic metal bow, which was geared with multiple components. "It's heavy. Let me hold it for you."
"It just looks cool. I want to view it closely." Devon's hands itched from the anticipation.
When he received the consent, he slowly slid his fingers to the rough string of the bow. He followed the lines of the symbols exquisitely carved on its neck.
He mouthed, "Another inscription." It was like the one embedded in the beast.
Devon curiously asked, "Where's its arrow?" But his eyes focused on the streaks.
While asking the question, he secretly used his core to scan the weapon to make a virtual copy of the bow.
When Devon reviewed its stats later, he would regret not asking the name of the weaponsmith. He would love to chat with them about its marvelous features.
"We use energy capsules." Rafiel showed a small blue sphere crystal, "It could morph into a sharp arrow for my bow. The larger the capsule, the longer it will last."
Devon's eyes gawked at the sparkling crystal. "Like a battery?"
"No. A battery only provides power, while the capsule is also weapon." Rafiel put the capsule in a crater at the center of the bow. "My bow converts the energy capsule into a form this it can use, an arrow."
Devon, "Then can I just use the capsule itself and not any weapons?"
He hid the capsule in a pouch hidden in his cloak. "We'll talk about this in the future."
Devon looked like he wanted one, but Rafiel stored the crystal immediately, not giving him time to use his charisma. Luckily, he managed to secure an image of the capsule with Lime's assistance.
Pane was aware of his kid's schemes. But he didn't mention anything to the three, and let them do whatever they liked. He would not hold back his son's curiosity for science. He would even support it.
A buzz of vibration was suddenly heard inside their cloaks. Everyone stopped in their tracks and looked at their cores. After a while, the trio looked at each other and simultaneously nodded. They were obviously having a secret conversation.
Devon's brows lifted in suspicion, but Gavril urgently grabbed his attention. "Devi, let's talk about our findings."
All of them stood up and packed their things, even the food on the table was not spared.
"We all thought you were not ready yet." He spoke, while his hands were moving fast. They were moving swiftly as if their time was ticking differently than his.
Devon's face brows tightened, "What?"
However, no one responded. They swiftly made their way outside of the house after fist-bumping with Pane, their way of bidding farewell to each other.
Rafiel made one look back, "We will come back in three months." And left in a dash.
Someone shouted, "I hope you are meatier by then!"
Their silhouettes faded beyond the gates, but Gavril still managed to strike Devon's nerves.
His eyebrows ticked in irritation, he turned to his father, "Why are they--?"
"They have something else to do outside." Pane interrupted his words. He ordered Lime to secure the gates, as he reinforced the barrier.
They moved in haste, while Devon was left alone in the living room to eat his buns. He knew something was going on outside.
Camati must be way different from what he imagined. It was… dangerous.
He whispered, "Could it be--." A piercing sound emerged from the closing gates and interrupted his thoughts.
Devon decided to focus on crafting his weapon before anything else. He knew he couldn't depend on his weak body, so he should find other ways to protect himself and his father against anything.
While leaning on the windows, his eyes stayed on Lanov. The beast looked overbearing outside the barrier. His gigantic body caused a towering sight, partially covering the lone sun in the sky.