Chapter Six: The Star Ocean

(Totally a reference but the new star system was too pretty to not use that title)


They awoke from fitful sleep feeling completely aware by the time they sat up to stretch. They did not recall any dreams that they may have had, which considering the dead Traveler's logs they've come across that might be a good thing. They purchased some more rations from the terminal, they didn't know what they were going to find in the next system and they wanted to be as prepared as they could. They felt anxious due to the fact that they had no clue what they would find, but at the same time they wanted to see more.

With nothing else left to do, they boarded their ship and left the station. They took in Eatkomstehan's system; how the star bathed the planets in a reddish light and the planets positioning in the system. They pulled up their star map and the next star system had two planets and two moons and was well within warp distance. With a breath they steadied themselves and engaged warp.

Warping was a boring affair. There was plentiful light that waved and shimmered and it was mesmerizing. If one wasn't stuck sitting in a chair. Their ship warped out without warning and normally they would be concerned. What they saw filled them with awe instead.

They were in the new system alright, everywhere they looked it seemed they were in an aquamarine nebula that must surround this entire star system…It was beautiful beyond words. There was a moment where they stared out of the cockpit in complete awe and they turned their vessel so they could see the system in its entirety. The planets were not all that far from each other and one of them had both of the moons on opposite sides of their host. There was another space station closest to the larger planet without any moons and it wasn't Korvax…and it was the size of a small planet at that. Curiosity took hold and they piloted the ship toward the station and was guided to a docking area.

The ships here seemed…more combative than most of the Korvax ships which were mostly geared towards exploration. They stepped out cautiously and similar to the other station they were paid no mind. The main race here were variable in appearance. Most were taller than them and…sported tentacle…like or a normal mouth depending on the individual. Normal is relative of course and they wondered why they thought so. They didn't dwell they had observations to continue making. They also had different colors of pigmented skin and there did not seem to be any kind of indicator as to why.

There were few Korvax and a bigger proportion were Gek, but they were still the minority. They did not have any to sell so there was not a real reason to stay so they launched away; deciding on landing on the planet without the moons called "Omigatan Tadal." It seemed like a rather cold planet with nothing but snow from space but as they entered the atmosphere they saw there was a plentiful amount of large flora despite the snow they had seen. They landed at an outpost and surveyed their surroundings. The ground was mostly snow covered and there wasn't much in the way of clouds so the sun could shine clearly in the sky and the other planet and moons were clearly visible and large in the sky.

The flora was like large trees that twisted around and other…Taiga looking trees that were rather numerous. The shrubbery wasn't a big portion of the flora and what grass that was peeking from the snow seemed yellow in color and wasn't very tall. There was copper suspended in rock formations and Emeril in deposits that littered the land. All and all a good planet to earn some Units and hopefully catalog all the animals. There were only nine species if their database can be believed.

They learned quickly that this star system was called "Luvikninaleifs" was occupied by the Vy'Keen: a militant race that was of honor and conduct. Something about their structure and discipline pleased a part of them. It gave credence that they might had been in a similar organization back on their home world. Or knew someone in a similar organization. Who was to say? The monoliths they found taught Them words in Vy'Keen and it was frustrating to once again have such a barrier. They had been finally getting the meaning behind Korvax only now changing it up.

Most of the planets inhabitants were peaceful herbivores that made musical like calls and gathered around their person more often than not. This was hazardous because most didn't go past their thigh. Though there was a kind of herbivore that was not only strange looking but very tall, tallest they had seen since there journey's start. They just started to make a process of mining Emeril and tracking species while they did and after their inventories were full they would make a stop at an outpost to sell and meanwhile if they found a spot of interest they would look. This was usually alien monuments…though they came across an abandoned base with a similar wiggling masses but blue in color…no thanks.

They repeated this simple process till they got to the point where their funds matched before they had obtained their new vessel. Gold was also in this planet in the caves and after beating back more crustaceous predators and thus completing the log for this world they mined it as well.

The final sol they decided to stay before going to the next planet they were lounging against a tree close to a settlement of Vy'Keen. It contained a communication tower, an outpost and a few buildings that was shelter oriented. They wondered why the Vy'Keen painted their bases in a bright pink. At least it was easily recognized and seen. A breeze swept through the trees and they heard how the wind danced through the woods behind them. It was quite peaceful. A bit too cold for their tastes but still sedate to where their nerves were quite calm. Watching the small sun slowly sink into the horizon was a good way to end a day. Their eyes started to feel heavy…

"Oh, come on! Don't be such a stickler! I wasn't harming anything, there is no reason to report this…Thank you so much! Thank you, thank you, thank you! Hey what division you in? I think I remember seeing you. What?! You're..."

They jolted awake with their life support about to fail, their cold shielding also out of power. They charged their systems while trying to remember their dream. It was their past; they were sure of it! Who was that being? It had to be their kind because it was their language. It sounded fairly high pitched. Wondered if that meant anything. They couldn't exactly test to see if they could reproduce the tone because the disuse their voice might not even work anymore…

So many, many questions. There was one thing they knew. The longer they were 'Awake' and 'Aware' they were slowly remembering. It would just have to take time. Something they seem to have plenty of. Sleep was a bit harder to do that night. Both because of the hope that dream brought…and the dread what was still hidden.