Chapter 4: A lonely boy in a lonely world

Chapter 4: A lonely boy in a lonely world

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Celest

Elyria, the chief scientist, stood before Commander Tharkos, her expression puzzled. "Commander, we've been analyzing the data from our encounter with the Kyrerians, and I have to say, we didn't find anything strange in the normal world."

"What do you mean by 'normal world'?" Tharkos asked, his brow furrowed.

"I mean the worlds that are connected to our galaxy, Commander," Elyria explained. "We've been scanning for any anomalies, any unusual energy readings, but so far, nothing out of the ordinary has shown up."

Tharkos expression turned thoughtful. "And what about isolated worlds? Worlds that aren't connected to our galaxy?"

Elyria's eyes lit up. "Ah, now that's a different story, Commander. We've been studying an isolated world, one that the locals call 'Earth'. And let me tell you, it's been exhibiting some...miraculous properties."

Tharkos interest was piqued. "Miraculous? What do you mean?"

Elyria launched into a detailed explanation. "Well, Commander, it appears that the planet's ecosystem is undergoing a rapid transformation. The ozone layer, which was once depleted, is now regenerating at an incredible rate. And the planet's flora and fauna are adapting to the changes in their environment in ways that defy their current understanding of evolution. With the level of their knowledge of science this should be impossible."

Tharkos eyes narrowed. "That does sound miraculous. But what about the planet's inhabitants? Have we been able to make contact with them?"

Elyria shook her head. "Not yet, Commander. But we have been observing them from a distance. And let me tell you, they're just as fascinating as the planet itself."

As Dr. Elyria continued to explain the wonders of Earth, Arkeon's mind was racing with the implications. He knew that the King would be interested in this discovery, and he couldn't wait to report back to him.

But as he turned to leave, Elyria stopped him. "Commander, there's something else. Something that we've discovered about the isolated worlds."

Tharkos turned back to her, his curiosity piqued. "What is it, Doctor?"

Elyria's expression turned serious. "It appears that the isolated worlds are protected by a...a barrier, of sorts. We're calling it the 'Iluniverse'. And it's preventing us from accessing the worlds."

Tharkos eyes narrowed. "A barrier? What kind of barrier?"

Elyria hesitated. "We're not entirely sure, Commander. But it appears to be a energy field of some sort, one that's preventing us from penetrating the isolated worlds."

Tharkos mind was racing with the implications. He knew that the King would not be pleased with this discovery, but he also knew that they had to find a way to access the isolated worlds.

He turned to Elyria, his expression grim. "Doctor, I need you to find a way to breach this...Iluniverse. We need to access the isolated worlds, no matter what it takes."

Dr. Elyria's eyes widened, but she nodded. "I'll do my best, Commander."

Tharkos turned to leave, but he knew that this was just the beginning. He would have to report back to the King, and he knew that the King's response would not be pleasant.

As he entered the throne room, the King's expression turned cold. "So, Commander, I hear that you've discovered a way to access the isolated worlds."

Tharkos bowed his head. "Not exactly, Your Majesty. It appears that the isolated worlds are protected by a barrier, one that we're calling the Iluniverse."

The King's expression turned skeptical. "A barrier? What kind of barrier?"

Tharkos explained the situation, and the King's expression grew darker with each passing moment.

When Tharkos finished, the King's voice was cold and calculating. "Commander, I want you to take our planetary omega cannons and create a crack in the Iluniverse. A crack that's stable enough to allow a single person, or at least a slave, to pass through."

Tharkos eyes widened, but he nodded. "Yes, Your Majesty."

The King's expression turned cruel. "And Commander?"

"Yes, Your Majesty?"

"I want you to retrieve the Asthrax. No matter what it takes."

Tharkos face remained impassive, but his mind was racing with the implications. He knew that this would be a difficult task, but he also knew that he had no choice.

He turned to leave, but the King's voice stopped him. "Commander?"

"Yes, Your Majesty?"

"I want you to take a thousand soft slaves with you. "

Heritage orphanage, Nigeria.

The sun had barely risen over the crumbling walls of the orphanage, casting a pale light over the dusty courtyard. Ini, a 17-year-old boy with a quiet demeanor, emerged from the dormitory, his eyes squinting against the morning glare. He stretched his lanky frame, arching his back and extending his arms, before padding barefoot to the communal bathroom. The cold tile floor sent a shiver up his spine as he relieved himself, the sound of his urine hitting the water the only break in the silence.

After washing his face and hands, Ini made his way to the kitchen, where a meager breakfast of stale bread and watery porridge awaited him. He ate alone, sitting at a worn wooden table, his eyes fixed on the wall as he chewed mechanically. The other kids in the orphanage, rowdy and boisterous, burst into the kitchen, chattering excitedly about their plans to play soccer in the courtyard. Ini ignored them, his gaze never wavering from the wall as he swallowed his food.

As the morning wore on, Ini carried out his daily chores with precision and solitude. He swept the courtyard, the dry leaves and dust swirling around his feet as he worked methodically. He watered the scrawny plants, their wilted leaves perking up slightly as he tended to them. And he mended the torn pages of his only book, a tattered copy of Dickens' "Oliver Twist", his fingers moving deftly as he worked. Through it all, Ini remained alone, his eyes cast downward, his heart heavy with a deep and abiding loneliness.

As the sun reached its zenith, Ini took a break from his chores, retreating to the shade of a crumbling wall to eat a meager lunch of bread and scraps. He sat cross-legged on the ground, his back against the wall, his eyes fixed on the ground as he ate. The sounds of the orphanage - the laughter of the other kids, the shouts of the caretakers - receded into the background, leaving Ini alone with his thoughts. And in that moment, he felt the weight of his loneliness most keenly, a crushing sense of isolation that threatened to consume him whole.

As night fell, Ini slipped away from the orphanage, seeking solace in the darkness. He lay down on the lawn, the cool grass beneath him a gentle comfort. Above, the stars twinkled like diamonds scattered across the velvet expanse of the sky. Ini's eyes wandered, lost in the infinite vastness of the universe. His thoughts, however, were consumed by a different infinity - the endless cycle of pain and loneliness that had defined his life. His voice was barely above a whisper, his tone eerily calm, as he spoke the words that had become a mantra to him. "This is all your fault," he said, his eyes grim and unyielding, yet his face serene. "I'll find you one day...and I'll kill you." The stars above seemed to twinkle in indifference, but Ini's gaze remained fixed, his heart beating with a steady, deadly purpose.

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