Inside the Ship - Revealing the Past

They stepped through a side hatch into the ship's interior, an eerie sensation gripped them all. The air was thin, carrying the faint scent of metal and something ancient. The walls inside were smooth—crafted from a material unlike any metal Roy had ever seen. Their faint sheen shifted colours under the dim lights, and strange geometric patterns pulsed along the corridors, as if the ship itself were alive.

"Whoa…" Roy muttered, running a hand along the cool surface. Beneath his touch, he could feel an undercurrent of energy—faint but unmistakable.

"This ship isn't completely dead," Sharvani observed, noting his reaction. "Its systems are in standby mode. Some of the internal energy sources are still active, but barely."

Ravindra led them deeper, past broken corridors where exposed wires sparked with intermittent blue and red energy. Sealed doors stood as silent sentinels, their alien symbols glowing faintly—warnings to intruders.

At last, they arrived at a larger chamber. The walls here were lined with strange pods—some cracked open, others intact but smothered by thick layers of dust and grime.

Mimi peered into one of the broken pods and exclaimed, "Okaaaay, this is creepy. What were these things used for?"

Ravindra exhaled slowly. "We believe they were stasis pods. Whoever was inside… is long gone."

Roy's gaze was drawn to an intact pod. A faint, shadowy outline was visible through the glass, sending a shiver up his spine.

Sharvani placed a gentle hand on his shoulder. "Come. There's something else you need to see."

They moved toward a central control room—a space that stood in stark contrast to the dilapidated corridors. In its center, a massive console glowed with alien text that flickered in and out of existence. Holographic displays floated around it, projecting unknown star maps and data in symbols Roy couldn't decipher.

Ravindra pointed at the console. "This is what we've been trying to access—the ship's core database. If we can unlock it, we might learn who built this and why."

Siddharth crossed his arms. "But it's heavily encrypted. We've made progress, yet there's still a long way to go."

Mimi tilted her head, her voice bubbling with excitement, "Soooo… you guys are basically hacking an alien spaceship?"

Sharvani chuckled. "In a way, yes."

Roy stepped forward, studying the flickering symbols on the console. Even though he couldn't understand them, something about them felt… familiar, as if they were calling out to him. He shook off the feeling.

"So," Roy said, turning to his family, "you're telling me that humanity was changed by an unknown virus, someone out there might have helped us evolve, an advanced civilization is coming to Earth, and we have no idea if they're friendly or not?"

Ravindra nodded gravely. "That's correct."

Roy exhaled slowly, glancing back at the massive ship. "And if we can't stop them?"

Silence.

Siddharth finally spoke, "Then we may need to use this ship to escape."

Roy clenched his fists. His mech, his training, his future—it was all tied to something much bigger than himself.

Mimi nudged his arm with a playful "Pi Pi! Hey, no pressure or anything, right?" Her cheerful tone, a reminder of who she now was—a living being with a cute, quirky charm—brought a small smile to Roy's face. Yet deep down, he knew this was only the beginning.

The Ship Awakens

A deep, mechanical hum filled the control room as the ship's walls pulsed with renewed energy. Dim emergency lights brightened, and the once-dormant symbols on the console flashed rapidly, shifting between alien text and distorted images.

Mimi leaned forward, fingers hovering eagerly over the controls. "Okay, this is so cool, Pi Pi!" she whispered, excitement lacing her voice.

Roy, less enthused and more wary, asked, "Mimi… what did you do?"

She gave a sheepish smile. "Uhh… hacked an alien spaceship?"

Before anyone could respond, the holographic display flickered. The image of Earth was suddenly replaced by something far more ominous—dark, angular warships, dwarfing even the largest human stations, arranged in precise formation. They moved with slow, calculated purpose. Some bore markings similar to the ones inside the ship.

Then, as if in response, a deep, alien voice returned:

["Warning. Unidentified forces detected. Awakened protocols engaging. System reboot in progress."]

A violent tremor rocked the control room. Sparks burst from the walls, and the floor vibrated beneath them. Siddharth snapped, "You're done hacking this thing!"

Mimi flailed, "Hey, I was making progress!"

Another tremor shook the room—the entire control area shifted, as if the ship itself were about to move.

Roy's stomach dropped. "Tell me this thing isn't about to take off."

Ravindra's fingers flew over the console in a desperate bid to override the system. "No, but something's changing—this ship's waking up. I don't know how far it'll go, but if we don't stop it, we could trigger something we can't control!"

A new symbol flashed on the screen—a countdown:

60… 59… 58…

Mimi's eyes widened in her characteristic "Pi Pi!" tone. "Uhhh, guys? That definitely looks like a timer!"

Sharvani turned to Ravindra. "We need to shut it down!"

Ravindra was already in motion. "I'm trying!"

The countdown continued: 55… 54… 53…

Roy clenched his fists. "If this thing fully activates, what happens?"

Siddharth exhaled slowly. "Best case? It just turns back on."

Roy swallowed hard, "And worst case?"

Siddharth met his eyes. "It sends a signal."

Silence fell.

Mimi blinked, "Okaaaay, so no pressure, but if I don't crack this system fast enough, we might be broadcasting our location to every alien warship in the system?"

Roy rubbed his temples. "You already hacked it! Just stop!"

Mimi held up her hands defensively. "It's not that simple! I linked with the system. It's like a puzzle—if I stop midway, I might just trigger another security measure."

The countdown continued: 40… 39… 38…

A stronger tremor shook the room, and a few of the sealed doors slid open, revealing deeper, untouched corridors of the ship. One led downward into complete darkness, accompanied by a cold, mechanical hiss.

Sharvani stiffened. "Something's moving."

Ravindra cursed, "We don't have time for this—Mimi, can you override it?"

Mimi cracked her knuckles, her adorable determination shining through. "Let's find out, Pi Pi!"

She slammed her hands back onto the console. The entire interface changed. The holographic warships flickered and disappeared. The countdown halted at 27.

Then, a new display appeared—a message in alien script that slowly rewrote itself into human language. Everyone held their breath as they read:

"HELLO, SURVIVORS."

A long pause, then another line:

"I HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR YOU."

Mimi paled. "Uh. Guys?"

The control room's red warning lights were replaced by a soft, pulsing blue glow as the ship stabilized.

Roy took a slow step forward. "Who… are you?"

The text vanished, replaced by silence. Then, the deep alien voice returned—this time not as a warning, but as a declaration:

["SYSTEM ONLINE. PRIMARY DIRECTIVE: LOCATE SUCCESSOR."]

Mimi's eyes went wide, "Pi Pi! Wait, what?"

The console then displayed:

["SUCCESSOR DETECTED."]

At that moment, a soft glow enveloped Roy, and his eyes shone briefly with an inner light.

Roy froze as his family turned to him, astonishment etched on their faces.

Mimi was the first to break the silence, chirping in her signature tone, "Pi Pi. That's new!"

Siddharth narrowed his eyes, "Roy, do you understand what this means?"

Roy exhaled slowly, not quite comprehending, but feeling the pull of destiny. The symbols, the ship's hum, the energy beneath his fingertips—they were calling out to him. And now, they had answered.

Chosen by the Ship

Silence reigned in the control room as the ship's lights pulsed steadily, waiting—almost expectantly. The alien text on the console had vanished, leaving behind one undeniable truth: the ship had called Roy its successor.

Roy clenched his fists. "What does that even mean?" he asked.

Sharvani's face remained unreadable. "We don't know yet," she murmured.

Siddharth folded his arms. "But we're about to find out."

Mimi, still at the console, scrolled through the interface, her voice soft yet animated. "Okay, so, fun fact—whoever built this thing really liked complicated security. But now that it's recognized Roy, the system is unlocking stuff I couldn't even see before."

The console flickered, revealing new sections of the ship's blueprint in bright gold. Hidden pathways that had been sealed away now lit up on the display.

Ravindra studied the hologram intently. "These areas... they were sealed. Now, they're open."

Sharvani's eyes narrowed. "Then we should see what's inside."

A deep hum resonated through the ship as Roy hesitated, his mind swirling with questions. Why him? He wasn't the strongest or the smartest—he was just Roy. Yet something deep inside whispered: this was always meant for you.

Mimi hopped down from the console. "Pi Pi, no use standing around. Let's explore!" she chirped, her voice bubbling with excitement.

Siddharth shot her a wary look. "We don't even know if it's safe."

Mimi waved a hand dismissively. "Eh, life's an adventure, Pi Pi!"

Roy exhaled and forced himself to focus. "Fine. Let's move."

Together, they followed the newly revealed path deeper into the ship.

The Core Chamber

The corridor they entered was pristine, untouched by the ravages of time. The walls glowed softly, responding to their presence with a gentle luminescence. Roy felt an unseen force pulling him forward as they walked.

At last, they reached a massive circular chamber lined with intricate alien markings. At its center rose a towering crystal-like structure, its colors shifting and pulsating in perfect harmony with Roy's heartbeat.

Ravindra took a slow step forward. "This must be the ship's... core."

Mimi whistled, her excitement clear. "Gotta admit, that looks insanely cool."

Siddharth eyed the structure warily. "And dangerous."

Sharvani placed a hand on the wall, studying the patterns. "This chamber is different. It wasn't just locked... it was protected."

Roy stepped closer. The moment he approached, the core reacted. A surge of energy pulsed outward, rippling through the chamber. Symbols shifted and rearranged themselves, forming something new.

Then, a deep voice resonated from the core:

["IDENTITY CONFIRMED. SUCCESSOR ACCEPTED."]

Before Roy could fully comprehend, a shockwave rocked the chamber. The walls pulsed brighter, and everyone stumbled back as the power surged.

Mimi shouted, "Okay, I really hope that wasn't a self-destruct command!"

But instead of fear, Roy felt a profound connection—memories not his own flashed through his mind: images of ancient battles, vast warships, and an endless cosmic conflict. A mission left unfinished. The ship had waited. For him.

The Revelation of Legacy

The energy in the chamber pulsed softly, bathing Roy in its glow. His breathing was unsteady, his mind still reeling from what he had seen.

Sharvani gripped his shoulders. "Roy! What did you see?"

Roy blinked rapidly. "This ship... it crashed here twenty years ago. That's what released the virus."

Mimi frowned, her tone filled with wonder and a hint of dread. "Wait, so you're saying this thing caused the whole elemental awakening?"

Roy nodded. "Not on purpose. It was an accident. The ones who built this ship—they were fleeing. Fleeing from their enemies."

Ravindra's eyes darkened. "From what?"

Roy exhaled slowly. "Their enemies."

A heavy silence fell.

Siddharth folded his arms. "So... they ran here, and now they're gone?"

Roy turned back to the glowing core. "They didn't just run here. This was their last stand. They were losing a war. Their people were dying. This ship was one of the last to escape. But when it got here... it was too late. The survivors either died or vanished." He paused, the weight of his words hanging in the air. "The message is clear: be prepared, because their enemies might still be out there, watching."

Mimi shivered. "So, there could be aliens still here?" she whispered in her cute, excited tone, "Pi Pi…"

Roy shook his head slowly. "No. They're gone—either dead or lost somewhere in space. But who knows? Maybe a few remain, and if so, they might help us against a common foe."

Sharvani's face was unreadable. "And the virus?"

Roy glanced at the core. "It wasn't a weapon. It was part of their biology— their last chance to pass something on before they were wiped out. When the ship crashed, it spread, rewriting human and animal DNA, awakening elemental abilities and transforming creatures into beasts of power. That's why we have these powers now."

Ravindra rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "And yet, the ship called you its successor."

Roy clenched his fists. "Because of my DNA. The ones who built this ship... they weren't exactly like us, but they were closer than any other species. And because I have twin elemental powers, my DNA is the closest match to theirs."

Mimi's eyes grew wide with wonder. "So, the ship thinks you're one of them?" she said, her voice filled with her signature "Pi Pi" excitement.

Roy nodded. "That's why it accepted me."

Siddharth exhaled sharply. "Damn."

Sharvani's gaze darkened. "Then that means one thing." All eyes turned to her.

"If their enemies were hunting them," she said softly, "that war isn't over."

The ship's core pulsed once more, and the alien symbols on the console shifted, forming something entirely new. The room filled with a cascade of holographic data—routes, coordinates, and warnings—revealing a hidden archive the ship had long concealed.

Mimi squinted at the display, her voice filled with awe."Okay… this is weird, Pi Pi!"

Siddharth frowned."What now?"

Mimi's fingers danced excitedly over the controls."The system just gave me access to a hidden archive! Look—there's so much data here. It seems the ship needs repairs, lots of them. There's damage that even our current tech can't fix easily."

Ravindra stepped forward, his tone hopeful yet cautious."Can you open it?"

Mimi grinned broadly."Do you even have to ask, Pi Pi?"

Her nimble fingers worked quickly, and the room burst into life with a holographic projection—a vast star map filled with intricate routes, coordinates, and warnings. Certain areas glowed in bright red, flashing ominously like beacons of danger.

Roy studied the map, his eyes narrowing."That's… a war map. Their enemies are still out there."

Sharvani's voice dropped to a whisper."And if they ever find Earth…"

Roy swallowed hard."They will come. Maybe not today, But one day…"

Mimi exhaled and forced a small smile, her excitement undimmed."Okay, so bad news: we might be totally screwed in the distant future. Good news? We've got an alien spaceship!"

Siddharth sighed."And we can't even fly it."

Mimi clapped her hands together, her voice lilting with playful determination."Which is why I am officially volunteering to hack it and fix it! I mean, come on—how often do you get the chance to pilot a spaceship, Pi Pi?!"

Roy shook his head with a smirk."You don't even know if it can be fixed."

Mimi grinned mischievously."Then I'll make it work!"

Sharvani crossed her arms."This ship holds secrets we don't fully understand. Be careful, both of you."

Mimi saluted with a cute, cheeky smile."Pffft, careful is my middle name, Pi Pi!"

Ravindra turned to Roy."In the meantime, you need to prepare. If this ship chose you, then there's a reason behind it—a destiny we haven't uncovered yet."

Roy clenched his fists, the weight of destiny pressing on him, but he didn't back down."If I was chosen… then I'll see this through."

Mimi cracked her knuckles and added with a cheerful tone,"Alright, let's get to work. And if you need someone to help you, I can split my mind in two—just like old times!"For a brief moment, a secondary holographic projection of Mimi appeared—a playful reminder of her hive mind nature, though her physical form remained singular and undeniably real. She looked at Roy with warmth in her eyes."And besides, I want to be with you on this journey."

In the background, the ship's core pulsed once more, as if approving their decision. Roy took a deep breath."This is only the beginning," he murmured.

Later that evening, after a long day of work in their secret underground workshop—hidden from the public eye within Shelter 7—Roy's family gathered in their private home. While Shelter 7 was managed by the government and housed countless families, this space was theirs alone, where they repaired and studied the alien spaceship.

The atmosphere in the room was a blend of excitement and solemn responsibility. Ravindra looked at Roy with pride."We've been studying this ship for decades, trying to piece together its secrets. It's not just a vessel—it holds knowledge of a civilization far beyond our own. And now, with this archive, we know more about what it can do."

Sharvani added softly, "This ship might be our greatest hope, Roy. But it will also be the key to unlocking your future—transforming your mech into something… much greater."

Siddharth nodded."The technology here is advanced, and if we can harness it, we might be able to upgrade your mech to a true Soul Weapon."

Roy listened intently, his mind buzzing with the enormity of it all—alien technology, an ancient war that changed humanity, and his own potential.

Mimi, with a characteristic giggle, chimed in,"Pi Pi! And just think—once we fix this ship, I'll be able to dive into all its secrets and maybe even improve our systems! We're going to make this thing fly like it's from another world!"

The room buzzed with excitement, but amid the enthusiasm, the gravity of their mission was unmistakable. Ravindra's voice grew serious once more."Roy, the military camp starts in eight days. You must continue your training, and this ship… it's part of that future. It's a tool—a means to defend Earth if the enemy comes. But it's also a gateway to power beyond what we can imagine."

Roy's gaze hardened with determination."I understand. I'll do whatever it takes."

Sharvani placed a gentle hand on his shoulder."We're with you, always."