Star Force Ark, Chapter 16: The Tour Continues

After rejoining with Zack and Bud, the group walked into the main building as the four kids looked around. "So this is the lab's front foyer.", Aaron said as he turned around, catching the group's attention before he looked over to a gateway on the right side of the building, "Over there is the Science Museum. It's where various exhibits are displayed. He then turned toward the left side of the building.

"And this over here leads to the staff area.", Aaron continued before something caught his attention, causing the kids to look in the same direction, seeing Tom as he looked at a screen on the wall displaying a galaxy. "He is my assistant. Geo, Luna, You two met him yesterday, didn't you?" The two gave a quick nod in response.

"Heeeeeey!", Aaron called out, catching Tom's attention, "Over here!" Hearing this, Tom walked over to Aaron. "I'll introduce him to everyone. This is my assistant, Mr. Tom Dubius. Hey, Tom. Are you okay? You look a little pale."

"U-Uh, yes...", Tom replied.

"You look like you worked until real late last night.", Aaron said, "You've got to watch out for your health!"

"Y-You don't need to worry about me.", Tom said.

"Oh? Alright.", Aaron said, "Let's continue then." Aaron then turned back to the four kids. "Today is a very special day." Aaron then walked over to the gate to the Science Museum before turning back to the group. "I'm letting you guys take a look around for free! So go on and have fun in the museum!" Hearing this, Bud gave a cheer.

"What luck!", Zack said.

"Th-Thank you, Mr. Boreal!", Luna said.

"Y-Yeah.", Geo said.

"I think you guys will enjoy a lot of what you see." Aaron said, "Oh, and one more thing. I'll show you all my personal lab later, too. You'll get to see something no one has ever seen before! It's my latest project!"

As the group made their way to the museum, Tom turned away from thim. "(He's going to show them his latest project?)", he thought to himself, "(My FlapPack is in that room too... Would he...?)"

After entering the museum, the group split up to look at different exhibits. During this time, Luna walked up to Zack, firmly placing a hand on his shoulder. "Alright, spill.", Luna whispered to Zack, catching him off guard, "What's the real reason you followed us?"

"I-I don't know what-", Zack began.

"Don't play dumb with me, Zack.", Luna whispered, "I know how you and Bud think, and there's no way you could've convinced him to come with you simply because 'he had nothing better to do'." This caused Zack to freeze up for a moment before she continued, "You didn't happen to overhear our conversation with Mr. Boreal yesterday, did you?"

After hesitating for a few moments, Zack finally spoke. "I... I just couldn't understand.", Zack began, catching Luna off guard, "I mean, yeah, the whole misunderstanding was my fault, but at the time, I just couldn't understand why you'd go out with Geo of all people, especially since you got so annoyed that he wasn't attending school. It just... felt so out of character for you that I worried that something was wrong." Hearing this, Luna gave a sigh before removing her hand from his shoulder.

"I'll let it slide this time.", Luna said, "But in the future, don't just jump to conclusions like that. Got it?"

"Y-Y-Y-Yes, Prez!", Zack replied before Luna walked off to look at a different exhibit.

Meanwhile, Geo was examining a few different exhibits and had started recording a video of them with his Transer. "Man, a rocket, satellite models, constellation displays...", Geo began, "and so much more. This museum practically has anything you can think of when it comes to outer space." He then noticed Luna looking at a particular exhibit and walked up to her. "What's this?", he asked, catching her attention.

"Oh, Geo.", Luna said before looking back at the exhibit, "This is a Black Hole Generator. It's supposed to generate a small black hole within a protective shield for demonstration purposes, but it doesn't seem to be working right now."

"I see.", Geo said before reading at the sign for the display, "Huh, so they can draw in light and EM waves. That's interesting."

"Yeah.", Luna replied, "It would be nice if we could actually see one, but what can you do?" Geo nodded in response before the two split up to look at some of the other exhibits. After some time passed, the group left the museum and were noticed by Aaron, who had been waiting for them by the ticket machines near the gate.

"Have you guys had a chance to look at everything?", Aaron asked.

"Yep.", Geo replied.

"It was really fun, Mr. Boreal!", Luna said.

"I must say, it was all absolutely fascinating.", Zack said. Hearing this, Aaron gave a short laugh.

"I'm glad to hear that.", Aaron said, "Alright then. Next, let's go to my personal lab! I can show you guys what I've been working on. My lab is upstairs, so we're going to take the elevator." Aaron then walked off toward the other side of the building, with the four kids following close behind him.

*To Be Continued*

blazenight01: I'll be completely honest, that was not at all what I was going for with that when I had them get on the second bus to AMAKEN in Chapter 14, nor did I even consider that when I was writing Chapter 15 despite having seen something like that in an anime between the two chapters.