Departure to Shinwa Wakusei

Less than four hours had passed until the first Exploration Crew was set out to the SGB. Yuan and Hana had been stuck in non-stop strategic planning and arguments. Finally, as the last touches were being made, the Hangar Operator's voice boomed.

"Karkon District. Emergency Response.Tora Air Division. Hagewashi Extraction Team. Special Reconnaissance. Special Extraction. Heidong Transportation Team. Mura Air. Immediately set course for Shinwa-Wakusei. Karkon District. Emergency Response. Tora Air Division. Hagewashi Extraction Team. Special Reconnaissance. Special Extraction. Heidong Transportation Team. Mura Air. Immediately set course for Shinwa-Wakusei."

Outside, Yuan could hear the engines of the first ships, roaring to life. Emergency preparations were being audited on the fly. Yuan was scheduled to board the second fleet and Hana was scheduled to stand-by. Embracing each other for the last time, the two ran their separate ways. Yuan entered the massive locker rooms beneath the hangars. Shui Ren was sitting on the ground, his suit in disarray.

"Shui! Gear up! What's wrong now?!"

Shui looked up. Tears in his eyes.

 "Yuan, this is really bad. You know what this means, do you? We have entered an age of darkness. Again. This is just the beginning. Logistically speaking, it is near impossible that we are going to be able to cover up. We're going to have to go head on with the dynasty. There's nothing else to it."

Yuan sighed. He still needed time to process all of this information. It was a bit too much for him and he tried to understand Shui's words yet in the moment, he was focused on gearing up. Just as everyone else was. A large being stumbled over, fully equipped in pilot gear, making it hard to determine their identity.

"EB Support team! We're set for plus two. I want everyone in the departure vessel within the next 10 minutes! Bring your important supplies. We will be needing it. Good luck everyone."

The beast lumbered out the other way. Chatter broke out again, only for the Senior Captains of multiple other teams to interrupt and alert their teams. The air within the locker room could only be described as frenzied. Yuan began feeling tired yet through all his training, he knew better than to slack off. Equipping his last life support pack, he waved goodbye to Shui and headed up to the hangar. 

Instantly, he was hit with a wave of confusion and distractions. Loading crew from ships of other squadrons were all waving in their yellow vests, while panicked crewmates ran around, making it hard for Yuan to see anywhere. In the back, a large beast attack vessel was being loaded and the rumbles only made it harder for Yuan to locate his ship. Suddenly, his friend Bull was on his side. 

"Yuan, you're looking for the EBS team ship right?"

Yuan nodded frantically. Together, they made their way through the crowd and to the sleek black ship. Inside, Yuan took a seat in one of the captain's seats. The lower ranking members of the Support Team looked at him with admiration and found a sense of comfort with him now in the ship with them. Outside, mechanic crews were adding the final touches, ensuring sufficient functionality. The final assistant pilot ran up the lowered platform and the ship closed behind her. 

"MIRU Defense Team. EBS Support team. Rippa District. Cargo Security. S.S Tyrano. S.S Stega. Set course for Shinwa-Wakusei immediately. -"

The rest of the announcement was cut short. Then engines growled in the back and a sudden jerk later, the ship was heading full speed up the exit shaft, out onto the surface of the planet. Yuan could feel the force pushing his head down and was unable to gain a good view of the planet but from the side of his eyes, he noticed that there wasn't any battle. It was now peaceful, serene trees lined the landscape. A few blossoms even got stuck to the window as the ship ascended. The Stronghold Kingdom couldn't risk any form of detection now.