The Tergiel series of artificial planets were created by technological advancements of the biggest corporations in the galaxy. Though Techton is still the leading planet when it comes to technological advancements, the Tergiel planets were known to house the best freelance repair centers.
The control towers of Tergiel 6 detected damages to any ship entering their space so when the Fliskan ship was picked up by their radars, they saw how badly it needed repairs and secured immediate landing permission.
Upon reaching the surface, Zyric was first to leave the vessel and followed by everyone else. As he scanned the tarmac, he sees a team of familiar faces.
After his temple study, Zyric was recalled back to Craiine. He and his brother were undergoing military training in the Fliskan capital when the duke befriended an ambassador who suggested that they continue elsewhere.
Seeing opportunities to learn other cultures even more advanced than Fliska, he and his brother were sent to another star system. They arrived on Planet Minthria, the homeworld to the Interplanetary Union of Sovereign Nations which is simply recognized by an ancient language term, the Patara or informally referred to as Patara.
It is a governing body whose advocacy is to effect peace between nations that exist within the known universe. It is composed of delegates from different member nations. As these delegate diplomats work together, they enlist the help of other professionals and they reach out to bring interplanetary aid while also keeping the peace.
As these delegates and professionals traveled, they are escorted by Patara Defense Operatives or simply known as Patara Defense. Whilst most of their branches such as Patara Health Operative are in the medical planet Agcar and Patara Intergalactic Social Development are situated on Planet Chaone whose expertise is about community development, Patara Defense lies within Minthria near its main headquarters. Minthria is believed to be the home of the fiercest warriors and Minthrian defense schools produce the best soldiers in the universe.
The brothers arrived at Minthrian National Defense and Tactical Institute, one of the leading schools in Minthria. Though the standard admission is through applying, the administration accepts a few students based on recommendations from their respective governments. This is the case for Zedon and Zyric.
The training consists of land, marine, and air defense. After graduation, a student has many options. Most of them apply for a position in Patara Defense or go back to their planet and pursue a national defense career.
When they finished their training, Zedon went home while Zyric tried his luck to apply for a spot in Patara Defense. While waiting for the results, one of his mentors advised him to apply for the Techton-Galacore Defense Force as well. There, he was recruited to be a part of the Elite Stellar Squadron of Techton-Galacore Enterprises. They were known as Elitea, the Techton-Galacore Squadron.
Elitea is a joint venture of planet Techton and the Galactic Corporation "Galacore". It aims to show off Techton's advancement in technology most especially in security services.
Initially, Elitea was commissioned to aid Patara defense in escorting its diplomats and other staff during their peacekeeping missions. As the squadron's popularity grew, Elitea was no longer exclusive to Patara and ceased operating as their security escort. They are given a new mission to answer distress calls to anyone in need of help.
They are now a different organization more popular than Patara Defense or Patara itself. Thus, the said squadron was elevated to a superhero status and all its pilots became instant celebrities.
The Squadron consists of the twelve most advanced stargliders in the universe. It was an engineering marvel of its creators and the crown jewel of the Techton-Galacore Enterprises. Each starglider was named by numbers of an ancient language. To be chosen as a pilot of Elitea was an honor simply because the said squadron was well revered. Long after leaving the service, Elitean pilots were often well remembered and warmly received wherever they may go.
Zyric was designated to be second in command and flew Elitea-Morda, the 2nd starglider. The lead technician or chief engineer for the 2nd plane was Enna Havita.
What became a strong working relationship became a romantic attachment. Though it did not last long, they managed to be professional. Before Zyric returned to Craiine, they parted as good friends. Shortly after Zyric relinquished command of Morda, Enna accepted a job offer elsewhere.
"Enna, how are you?" He moves towards her while the lady rushes to him. "Zee, it's been so long! We're all good. What brings you here?"
"Of course, it's a broken-down vessel that can only be fixed by you." He grins. The lady lightly slaps his arm. "Hey, don't be such a tease." The Fliskan commander grins. Enna then adds. "Lem and I missed you. Even that lady missed you." Enna smiles as she points to another woman fast approaching. The lady crosses her arms as she stops.
"Hi, Verel. I missed you too. Looking good as always." Zyric compliments the lady.
"That may have worked for Enna in the past but not for me." She says somewhat sarcastically. "And I don't work or do services for my ex-boyfriends." She glances back at Enna with a reprimanding look.
Some of Enna's staff knew Zyric and were softly giggling. The Fliskans were confused but getting the idea somehow.
"Please Verel. It was all in the past." Enna caresses Verel's back.
"Yes Verel, we reconciled and moved on," Zyric explains as Enna nods in agreement.
Soon, he realized the crowd's prying eyes and even the various non-verbal reactions. The Fliskans were shocked. Dazifae was twitching in envy while Elzilaura struggles to keep her jealousy in control.
"Anyway, ladies and colleagues, this is Engineer Enna Havita. She was once the lead technician for Elitea-Morda, the star glider which I used to pilot, and her best friend Verel Cava, former medic of Elitean medical unit."
"Hi! Welcome to our shop. This is also our humble abode." Enna was all smiles.
"Charmed." Verel curtsies. " But I must get going." She turns back to Enna. "You and Lem visit me in Tergiel 4 soon. I will wait for you both."
"Goodbye, Verel. Do take care" Enna wishes her best friend well. They hug before the latter headed off.
"Can I come to visit too, Verel?" Zyric jests.
"Whatever Commander DuCraiine!" Verel's sarcastic voice faded out. Zyric and Enna laugh.
"Commander DuCraiine?" Dazifae asked.
"Well, the nobility doesn't have surnames so Fliskan lawyers allowed me to use DuCraiine for me to properly fill out documents needed for Military education," Zyric explains.
"Anyway, let me introduce you to my future queen. This is her royal highness, Princess Elzilaura of Fliska." Zyrics extends his hand and leads the Fliskan royal to the alien engineer.
Enna looks at Zyric with a sly smile. "Oh, your future Queen!" Zyric's eyes glare with a question. She laughs at him teasingly and then bows at the princess. "It is an honor to finally meet you, royal highness. I have heard so much about you."
"The honor is mine, Engineer Enna." Elzilaura keeps her grace and composure. She wondered how this girl heard so much about her. Instead of prying, she chose to let it slide and focus on something else like complimenting their hostess. "It's remarkable to have a woman in such a profession. You must be so talented."
"Thank you, your highness." Enna bows her head slightly. "I'm not that talented but I am hardworking. It's a trait needed in this profession."
"You are so modest. Surely, it's more than just hard work. You also have the skills." Elzilaura adds.
Enna just laughs. "You are too kind royal highness. No wonder why Commander DuCraiine holds you in high regard."
Zyric blushes again but cuts the conversation. "Yes of course she is kind and just. We are indeed lucky to have her as our future queen." He then continues to introduce the others. "And here is her royal highness, Princess Kanunia, sister to our future queen, and their cousin Lady Dazifae. This is Alednos, royal adviser, Harrion my second in command, and Ranued our newly recruited healer."
"I am pleased to meet you all and also a bit overwhelmed to be in the presence of nobility and esteemed men." The engineer said.
As she finished, Lem Corsi appeared from behind her. The two former pilots greet each other. Enna steps in to introduce the former commander. "This is my husband, Lem Corsi, former leader of Elitea and pilot of the first star glider known as Elitea-Doma. As you all know, his second in command back then was Commander DuCraiine, pilot of the second star glider Elitea-Morda." The Fliskans were a bit shocked.
"It is a pleasure to meet all of you. I hope you may find our shop and abode comfortable so please follow me. Come with me so you may take some rest after your tiring journey." Lem leads them into the building. They settle in a conference room where refreshments were ready. Enna was left at the hangar with her team to check on the space vessel.
While they were relaxing, the two former pilots thought it best to share their story with the Fliskan team. Lem narrated their exploits as part of the famed squadron. Afterward, he continues by sharing that after resigning from Elitea, he ended up in a business school and was absorbed by Galacore Enterprises. He was assigned to Tergiel and met Enna who had just been transferred to Solcorp, Galacore Enterprise's sister company, as part of a promotion.
Soon, Enna joins them in the sitting room. "Sorry to disrupt but it's a lexo-communicator call from your client." Lem stands and rushes toward his wife. He turns to the guests. "Alright, I'll be right back ladies and gentlemen." He then looks back at his wife. "Do entertain them for a while." Enna nods in reply.
"So, how're the refreshments?" Enna awkwardly asks.
"It's great." Zyric answers. "We were just talking about how you and Lem met after his business school stint and you being promoted and stationed here by Solcorp."
"Oh yes, I got promoted. We met here when we were both starting out in our respective careers --" Somebody came in before she could finish.
"Forgive the intrusion, Ma'am." One of Enna's technicians approached her. "Mr. Corsi needs Lord Zyric."
Zyric then jumps up and follows the technician. When he left, Enna tried to continue. "I'm sorry where was I?"
Dazifae blurts out the most relentless intrusive questions. "Isn't it awkward to be friends with your ex-boyfriend? And you married his best friend?"
"No," Enna says. "Because it was such a long time ago and we've all moved on.
Before Lem and I dated, we sought Zyric's permission out of respect for him."
"Oh." That was the only thing Dazifae could say. Elzilaura couldn't help but ask. "I guess he was okay with you marrying Lem."
"Yes, and he was the first person who knew about our engagement. We told him before we even told our parents because we trusted him that much.
He missed our ceremony but then caught up during the wedding feast. It'a s tradition that whoever gets the bride's silver pin will be next to get married. Accidentally, it was he who got the pin." Enna beams with her smile as she recalls these fond memories. "I wonder whom he gave the pin. It's also our tradition that whoever gets that pin must give it to the man or woman of his dreams."
Elzilaura began to recall a party back then. It was her natal day and a standard ball was held in her honor. Zyric just got back from vacation and visited her before preparing. He gave her a box saying it was a gift from him and his family. She opened it and saw a silver lily brooch inside. Of course, she thanked him for their gift and even wore it both to the ball. Then, the memories rambled in her head.
Suddenly, a scene flashed in her mind wherein she ran up the staircase after the ball. In her haste, she hit a small post and some of her jewelry and sash slipped including her silver lily brooch.
"He must have lost it." Elzilaura suddenly spoke. "You know men could be irresponsible with trinkets sometimes." She tries to laugh.
"Oh yeah, I guess they are." Enna smiles slyly as she stares into Elzilaura with prying eyes. The Fliskan princess was uncomfortable and changes the subject.
"But I must admit, I admire you and Lem and your friendship with Zyric that stood the test of time." Elzilaura stands and lifts her cup. "Let's raise our glasses to everlasting friendships and strong alliances." Everyone followed the princess.
Meanwhile, Zyric then reaches Lem. "Sorry Zee, it's Admiral Norchee Mirtaz. She's my client now and just wants to say hi."
Admiral Norchee Mirtaz was a former mentor of Zyric during his days as a student in Minthria. When he became an Elitea pilot, she became one of the tactical advisers of the Techton - Galacore Enterprises.
Lem expands his communicator so he and Zyric can talk to the client. "Good day Admiral Mirtaz. It's been a while, Ma'am. I'm glad you still remember me from so many of your students."
"Well, you and your brother were remarkable. I'm glad that you had a wonderful career not just with Elitea but also with your position on your planet. Congratulations, Marshal."
"Yes Ma'am, but I am afraid I have retired from my duties just like you. During my retirement, my home has been taken over by our enemies, and our queen was assassinated. My father risked his life so we can retrieve the queen's daughter and rescue our home as well as our countrymen. We are here to seek repairs so we can return to our people and our allies."
"Oh my, what a predicament! What I can suggest now is to ask help from the Patara."
"I will discuss this with our team if they are willing. It's difficult since our culture does not quite permit intrusion from external forces beyond our region of the galaxy. If there are instances that we are forced to do so, it takes time for us to be open for alien negotiations. But considering the circumstances, I will suggest it to our princess. Thank you, Admiral."
The lady nods. "Alright, and if there is anything I can do, I'm just a call away. Now, I must take my leave. Best of luck to you both."
"Thank you, Ma'am." Zyric conveys his gratitude. "Goodbye Admiral and thank you," Lem responds before she hung up.
Afterward, Lem shares valuable information with Zyric. "The reason I had to call you is not just about Admiral Mirtaz. I just got some news regarding the oblivion orb."
Zyric was surprised. "I thought we destroyed the orb. The whole team did it together with the help of Krrkandi."
"It turns out there were discrepancies in Krrkandi's studies. What we destroyed was only a decoy. There was another orb, a smaller one which was the real thing. The oblivion orb is a powerful amulet that can be used to eradicate any being whether living or non-living and just simply erase its existence. It may only be used by its bearer who can blend with nature and use universal energy."
Zyric was then confused. "So where is the real orb then?"
I fear that your nemesis, Kyron, has acquired the orb and can use it anytime. The only way to neutralize it is to find the omnipotent orb."
"If that is true, then Kyron will surely use it against Elzilaura. We must then find the omnipotent orb before Kyron gets it."
"Indeed," Lem says. "I hope you find it soon because some speculate that the Mudrogos Vel Empire, the enemy of Patara, is tracking it down. I also received info that the empire has allied with Kyron so both can expand their territories.
"If that's the case, then I must persuade Elzilaura to re-evaluate and secure the alliance with Patara."
After their conversation, the two men return to where the others are. Turns out the hostess had to leave as her presence was badly needed at the hangar. Zyric then turns to Elzilaura and bows before her. "Your highness, I just learned our enemies have allied themselves with the dark empire called Mudrogos Vel."
The Fliskan team was alarmed. "What do you suggest then, my lord?" Kanunia asks.
Zyric turns to Kanunia. "I spoke with a former mentor from Minthria. She offers a suggestion." He then shifts his gaze back to the princess in front of him. "It would be best if we seek help from the Patara."
"Well, we need all the help we can get. Our Kingdom has not been an active member of the Patara when we should have been. Had we stayed within the alliance, perhaps the dreadful attack on our planet would have been avoided." She pauses to remember. "Anyway, what must we do to regain our alliance?"
"We must go to the Pataran headquarters in Planet Minthria and join the meeting of the assembly."
"So we shall." Elzilaura affirms.
Suddenly, Enna comes back into the room. "Your transport vessel is okay. Luckily, I have the parts necessary to complete the repairs but it will need more upgrades for long-haul journeys and install more defenses. Since you have an old model for this type of space vehicle, the upgrades available will have to be installed by an expert. It must be brought to Techton. Besides, the latest advancements developed by Techtonians will be available in different parts of the universe soon but my brother who is stationed there has access to it already."
Zyric suggests. "Then, we should all go to Techton. Everyone can take their rest while our princess and I will wait for a clearance pass for entry into Pataran Headquarters. Once we get it, we could proceed and be there in no time. Planet Minthria is just beside Techton."
"Yes, I'll inform Admiral Mirtaz that we are coming over but for now, we go to Techton first," Lem says while Enna adds. "I've notified my brother about the proper upgrades needed for your vessel. He'll be expecting us soon."