The Fliskans together with Lem and Enna travel to Techton. Lem joined Zyric and Harrion in the cockpit and instructs the Fliskans to navigate slowly as the engine has just been repaired. Besides, Techton was just a few hours away. Alednos was supposed to leave the cockpit but Zyric tells him to stay on the jump seat. They might need his help. When they were cruising at a stable altitude; Lem asks to take leave to check on his wife and obtain data for their flight plan.
Meanwhile, Elzilaura walks along the corridors finding the sleeping quarters of Kanunia and Dazifae. She then encounters Enna.
"You're Highness." The technician curtsies.
"You don't need to be so formal when we are away from public eyes Enna," Elzilaura says.
"Oh alright. So, where is the pin?" The technician immediately drops her reservations.
"What pin?" Elzilaura asks.
"The one from my wedding which Zyric got." Enna pauses as she steps closer. "I saw it on your official portrait released by your kingdom.
"I lost it," Elzilaura replied but her breath gave a way to discomfort. She recalled the time she dropped it as she was running up the great staircase in panic.
Enna misunderstood her discomfort. She thought it was only the awkwardness of them being together. "I understand. It was just a small pin. Not even as expensive as your crown jewels."
"It was special to me," Elzilaura emphasized. "However, I accidentally lost it because of an unfavorable incident which is somewhat embarrassing to share. "
"Oh, I'm so sorry to hear that and to make you feel uncomfortable but I am glad it was you that received the pin." Enna smiles in assurance. "I've always known that you were his first love and perhaps his only love. I still feel he used me to get over you. I'm so jealous of his affection for you that I tried everything but failed miserably. True love doesn't end and this realization helped me move on. Just like what you said, friendship, love, and everything genuine stand the test of time."
Elzilaura holds the engineer's arm to offer solace. "I'm sorry."
"Don't be your highness," Enna explains. "Serves me right. I loved him for the wrong reasons too. I was young and ambitious. I was infatuated with a young soldier who is royalty. I was enamored when he showed favor to me. I wanted everything: the perfect job and the perfect guy. Turns out we don't get everything we want. I didn't get the best relationship but I had a great career. That's life. In the end, I found love at the right time with the right guy. I'm now happy with Lem. I hope you will be happy with Zyric too."
"We are not together. I am engaged to Jarin of Galmar. Besides, he never told me that he was in love with me." Elzilaura claims. "And I don't want to assume he does."
Enna laughs. "Well, men are not often always open with emotions and they don't talk so much. They're more expressive. They would rather show you than tell you.
When I saw him escort you into the hangar, he was alive. He wasn't as stiff. There was this twinkle in his eyes and a seemingly cheerful disposition despite maintaining that soldier demeanor. I haven't seen him like that before with any other woman. He might not say it but he unknowingly shows it."
"Okay." It wasn't that clear but somehow, she gets what Enna was trying to hint. The princess changes the subject again. "By the way, why is Verel angry with Zyric?"
"Because she had a crush on him." Enna was amused. "When he started to notice me, she pushed me to go for him. After we broke up, she couldn't forgive him. I guess she feels guilty pushing me. She has been protective ever since. Each time she learns of Zyric coming to visit us, she thinks it's awkward but not for me and Lem."
"Well, I kind of agree with her. I find it weird but I admire that you and Zyric became friends after a tumultuous past. Back on planet Earth, I couldn't accept my best friend and boyfriend getting together behind my back."
"The situation is similar but the circumstances are different," Enna claims. "Zyric and I were colleagues turned friends. Then we became lovers and though it didn't work out, we worked out our issues. We eventually became friends again and we're comfortable with that."
Not for long, Kanunia approaches them with Lem. He then converses with his wife and the two princesses left and had their conversation.
Back at the cockpit, there was silence when Lem left. Zyric then decides to break the ice. "You're quiet Harrion? Is there something wrong?"
"Nope, nothing's wrong," Harrion says. "I can't believe you dated this hot and smart girl."
"Are you jealous?" Alednos laughs.
"Don't worry. I love you too Harrion." Zyric joins in on the jest.
"What I'm trying to point out is that you never told us about her. You had this great woman and you just let her go. Why?"
"Because she's not the one for me. Simple as that." Zyric says.
"Or maybe she's not Ella. That's why." Harrion says.
"Simple as that," Alednos remarks. Harrion snorts at the adviser's remark.
Before he could continue, Lem returns to the cockpit. "Hey, guys did I miss anything?"
"Not much," Zyric says.
"So, Commander Corsi, you had lots of adventures during your time as Elitea pilots." Alednos tries to bring up a new topic.
"Please, call me Lem and yes, we did. The stories never really grow old." Lem laughs. "That part of our lives was an exciting adventure. Sometimes I wish I could relive it again."
"As much as I enjoy the good old days, I had my time. Truth be told, if not for this crisis we are in, I want to retire to the countryside and be a farmer or gardener." Zyric blurts out.
"You a gardener?" Lem was as shocked as the others.
"I already am tending to my family's countryside estate just before the Fliskan siege." Zyric narrates. "It gave me peace of mind, unlike this fast-paced life."
"Oh well, I've always known you to be the sentimental guy. Perhaps there's a girl in the countryside that's keeping you there? Lem asks.
Harrion laughs annoyingly. "There's a girl that forced him to hide there in his family's estate." He laughs together with Alednos.
Lem was once again surprised. "Oh, it seems we have some catching up to do. Who's the lucky girl? By any chance, did you give her Enna's pin?"
Zyric changes the subject quickly. "Hey, what did Enna tell you back there? Is the engine ready for maximum speed?"
"Oh yes, my wife says that we could boost the engine so we could reach Techton faster."
"Okay then. Let's try it." Zyric says. Harrion and Alednos were looking at each other smiling. They chose not to comment as Zyric became serious. Lem also begins a new conversation about an upcoming seminar that he plans to attend.
They give full capacity to the engine until Techton was in sight. Upon reaching the technology planet, they meet up with Enna's former colleagues and her brother.
"Your royal highness, Princess Elzilaura, Princess Kanunia, Lady Dazifae, Adviser Alednos, Sir Harrion, and Sir Ranued, allow me to introduce you to my brother Merus, the inventor." She then moves further. "Kathla and Mirudette here are once my colleagues at Elitea. They will be installing the upgrades."
The two colleagues bowed before the team and then took leave immediately to get to work. Merus stayed behind to entertain them. "It is a pleasure to meet you all." He seemed intimidated being in their presence but he continued. I invented the upgrade for your ship."
"Oh Wow! How wonderful. Thank you, Merus." Elzilaura says.
"Thank you, your highness." He takes an awkward bow.
Kanunia mentions. "If you are an inventor, then there's probably more?"
"Oh yes, Ma'am," Merus affirms. "If you follow me this way, we can view these works of mine." The rest of them follow him.
While they were following him, Zyric tells his companions about the inventor.
"Merus here is no ordinary inventor. He was trained by those who invented Navigational Latch Technology or simply Latch Tech which we use on transporter comets. He is also in league with scientists and engineers researching Eolom technology. "
"What is Eolom Technology?" Elzilaura asks.
"It is believed to be elements from another universe that crosses over to another. We have been studying these elements and harnessing their power to fuel ships and upgrade weaponry. Perhaps, we will have more understanding and better control of transporter comets in the future as we study Eolom tech.
We are on a sabbatical for the moment since our project is supported by rival companies. I hope they work out their differences so we can proceed."
They come to the hall filled with his inventions.
"Here is my latest venture, the Laser Dress-up SRIS. It's a laser connected to an advanced computer called a Naraxis. Anyone can simply choose any outfit from the computer and when the laser is shot at them, they're outfit is suddenly changed into the image selected." Merus adjusts to prepare the Naraxis.
"I wish to sell this to a prospective client from Fashion City at the upcoming Techton Expo. Since the princess needs to look presentable at Patara, it would be perfect to use it now. Here, let me demonstrate."
Merus aims the Laser Dress-up SRIS originally at Elzilaura. However, his hands slipped and hit Lem whose outfit changed from a jumpsuit to an elegant evening gown. Everyone in the room laughed as the angered Lem rants at his brother-in-law to change his clothes back. Merus tries to fix the situation by reversing the ray to return Lem's clothes.
However, the invention was experiencing some technical difficulties and Lem's evening dress turned into pajamas. The inventor attempts to remedy the situation again but the pajamas, changed into a sandwich mascot, a scuba diver, a showgirl then finally into a giraffe costume! Infuriated, he chases Merus and the rest of the people laugh even harder than before.
Soon, Enna interfered. She insisted that her husband calm down and her brother returns to work and remedy the situation. The guests then carefully walk around the area while Merus was trying to reconfigure his creation. Dazifae noticed a floral-like metal structure at the side. She touches it and asks. "What is this? So lovely!"
Merus turns and speaks. "OH NO, don't touch-"
Even before the lady lay her finger at the tip of the structure, it began to light up and the antenna jolted up from the middle of the flower-like build. It was a laser beam and before it fired, Kanunia pushed her cousin and both ladies rolled to the floor.
The men rushed to the two Fliskans as the rest flocked on them. Harrion swiftly pulled Kanunia into his arms while Zyric got Dazifae. Ranued examined the two ladies. Dazifae was fine but Kanunia hit her head on a metal structure. The side of her face and temples had some bruises and trickling droplets of blood. She was also unconscious. He then called on them to help him get Kanunia to a clinic.
Elzilaura rushes to Kanunia's side while Merus calls on his staff to fetch medics. Immediately, robot medics came in with a stretcher. Harrion was hesitant at first but Merus interferes. "It's alright, she'll be fine. Please let the medics take her."
Harrion then hands over the injured princess to the robot medics. While they were taking Kanunia away, Elzilaura tries to follow but Enna stops her. "Don't worry Princess, the Techton medics are the best. They will take good care of her."
"I will join them and look after Princess Kanunia if that would make you feel at ease, your highness." Ranued suggest.
"Alright, you go with Alednos. Thank you Ranued." Elzilaura orders them. The two men followed the robot medics to the medical facility.
"I can go Ella. I can look after Kania-" Dazifae claims but Elzilaura cuts her off."
"You've done too much damage already. You never seem to learn Dazi. So stay here and try to keep yourself out of trouble." Elzilaura walks out. Dazifae tries to follow but Zyric cuts in.
"Best to stay here," Zyric stressed. "Leave and it would be direct defiance."
"I'm just trying to help." Dazifae's voice was breaking.
"I know," Zyric explains further. "You must understand she is upset right now. Also, you have been causing a lot of trouble if you haven't noticed."
Dazifae's chin drops. "I can't help being very clumsy."
Zyric answers. He places his hands on her shoulders "Yes but you can prevent it by trying to be careful. Always think before you act. You can't always be impulsive. That's how you get yourself hurt and other people too."
"I never meant to be clumsy. This is just the way I am. I can't help it. Just as I can't help feeling lost and lonely all of the time. I am always overlooked. I just want to be loved." Dazifae begins to cry."
In an instant, Dazifae recalls how her life before the siege. Since they were little, the family favored her eldest sister for being brilliant as well as beautiful. She was the royal family's sweetheart. This agitated her insecurities. Knowing that Lyna's true father died early on, she was resentful of her father who seemed to have favored his stepdaughter over his biological daughter.
When Lyna-Kyre received her royal duties which were to complete goodwill missions on the Queen's behalf, Dazifae was left alone in their family estate. This made her yearn for companionship. Since she wasn't as smart or pretty as her elder sister, she thought she would use her status at court to find a good husband whom she believes will give her happiness and make her parents proud.
Sadly, her parents passed away before she could secure a marriage proposal. Lyna-Kyre who just got married offered Dazifae to join her in her goodwill missions. Fearing that she would only live under her elder sister's shadow, she opted to stay in Fliska especially accepting Queen Azestina's offer to come live with them in the royal palace.
"And that's you're excuse? It's so lame." Harrion utters as he was trailing Zyric.
Zyric turns to Harrion and tries to block him. "Cut it out, soldier. The lady is crying."
"That's not fair. I lost my parents when I was young. You have no idea how lonely I feel." Dazifae tries to defend herself.
"You're such a spoiled brat. You should have accountability for your actions instead of rationalizing them.
And you think you're the only one with issues when I got issues too. I got orphaned at a young age. My relatives sent me to military school afterward. They even tried to have me killed. We all have issues so don't use them as an excuse for your attention deficit."
Harrion suddenly remembers the memories he was trying to suppress. He lost his parents as an infant. His uncle served as regent until he was of age to inherit his father's lands and titles. Harrion was sent to live with his uncle's servant in the countryside.
According to his guardian, this will instill discipline and humility in the young heir. However, he became so troublesome that the was sent to military school. As he grew older, his skills sharpened ,and soon realized his aunt and uncle were in league to have him killed. An incident allowed him to discover that they were behind his accidents in the countryside and in the military school itself.
"Oh yeah?!" Dazifae tries to wipe her tears. "Well, don't use your womanizing as an excuse either."
Zyric interfered authoritatively before a shocked Harrion could answer. "Enough! Stop acting like children. You both will stay here with the ship. You can join Enna while supervising the upgrades. Is that clear?"
"Affirmative, Sir." Harrion salutes his commanding officer. Dazifae keeps her gaze down but nods in agreement.