When the sudden flash of light died down, the first thing I noticed was a strange sensation that felt eerily familiar. It was akin to waves of ocean waters surging toward me and yet my body was weightless and disoriented.
It reminded me of the time when my crew and I went to the Star Kingdom of Eiseria's planetary capital, Litrides, as a Federation envoy for a diplomatic visit. I was a Captain back then. It was there that I managed to encounter this same sensation. Also, it was there where I made a ruckus out of a misunderstanding of Eiseria's customs.
Ah~ the good ol' days when I was young. Hahaha-- *cough cough*
Dammit! Why does it feel like someone is purposely tickling my throat whenever I cackle? Is this karma from my mischievous deeds when I was young? Ugh, seems like it.
Anyway, due to how the light earlier was too strong for my eyes, I had to keep it close for a few minutes. Even if the illumination died down, I could still feel the sting on my eyelids. As soon as I sensed the burning sensation begin to fade, I carefully opened my eyes.
"This is..."
I found myself sprawled upon the soft, dew-kissed grass of an enchanted forest. Towering trees with green leaves loomed overhead, their branches entwined in an otherworldly dance. The air was imbued with the sweet scent of blooming flowers, and the distant melody of a river echoed through the woods.
Confusion overwhelmed me as I tried to make sense of my surroundings. This isn't the Ellsworth Woods. I knew that place like the back of my hand that even my soul could tell that it was "that" place. But this venue is not what I am familiar with.
Another odd thing. My once-aging body felt youthful and agile...
"!?"
When I examined my hands, I found fingers that were slender and unmarred. The crepe-paper-like texture that I had for ages was gone. Even the noticeable veins and age spots were missing. Aside from that, I found myself wearing my Federation military uniform too.
Certainly, my mind raced with questions due to the sudden development. In the name of the Stars, I am not sure what's happening.
Okay, old man. Let's trace back our steps starting from the beginning.
I went to the cliff, had a cardiac arrest, and then... died.
Check.
After that, found myself in a dark place and a pop-up message miraculously appeared...
<< Affirmative. That happened too. >>
!?
A familiar voice echoed inside my head. It was a voice that I hadn't heard for a long time ever since I retired from the armed forces and surrendered my cybernetic enhancements to the federal government as a consequence...
"M-Michael? Is that really you?"
<< Affirmative. It is me, Admiral Ainsworth. >>
In the Stellar Federation, all citizens are required to have cybernetic enhancements through nanomachines that were implanted in one's body. These nanomachines are called「 Nanite: Nanotech-based Aid for Human Advancement 」, and are then cultured inside the body through the rest of his or her life. It served both as a civil registration to the government's Civil Registry and a technological aid.
The「 Nanite 」used by civilians and military personnel differ, and each「 Nanite 」 has an A.I. function as a way to efficiently manage the nanomachines efficiency and prevent an individual from suffering any drawbacks of using such technology.
Because I was a military personnel back then, of course, I had access to military-grade nanomachines. The A.I. function tasked to efficiently manage the「 Nanite 」in my body was Michael, an A.I. of the SFS Sancte Michael.
...A deep space exploration ship that I once commanded.
"But how..."
<< I would like to know that as well, Admiral. >>
My musing was valid. The fact that I was able to communicate with Michael means that I have nanomachines in my body. But that's impossible. I already returned my nanomachines to the Federation!
"Ah, crap! What the heck is going on here?"
I scratched my head out of confusion.
I knew I died. I also knew that it was in fact a truth and it happened. But then again, that experience I had inside that dark place was real too.
There is no point in ruminating on that event. I need to focus on my current surroundings and find out anything that is substantial and beneficial for me. I need to know where am I.
"Do you happen to know where we are, Michael?"
<< Compilation of data from the Federation database and cross-examining the current environment with currently stored information leads to a negative result. >>
So that means this is not somewhere in the Federation space. How about other areas that were not part of the federal government?
"Try checking other areas outside of the Federation's jurisdiction. I know our intelligence groups have huge amounts of intel of such."
<< Negative. All results are inconclusive. >>
"Huh..."
Intrigued and resolute, I rose to my feet, feeling the supple grace of this new-like body. The air that filled my lungs was sweet and invigorating, carrying with it the heady scent of blooming flowers that carpeted the forest floor. Each petal exuded a vivid array of colors as if nature itself had mixed the pigments of the sky to paint a masterpiece upon the ground.
With Michael's recent reply, I already conjured that this is a place where the Stellar Federation or other stellar nations have no reach. Could this be a new planet that's been waiting to be discovered?
At that thought, a feeling of great enthusiasm and eagerness captured my heart. The confusion within me was subsequently replaced by a thrilling sensation; the elation of discovering something new and profound!
"Michael, is the holographic user interface functional?"
<< Affirmative. Should I display the Admiral's status screen, too? >>
"Please do."
A holographic screen emerged in front of my eyes in an instant.
Name: Rylan Ainsworth
HP: 100/100
MP: 100/100
Race: Human (Hero)
Age: 128
Class: Voyager/Ruler
|| Parameters ||
Strength: B
Endurance: B
Agility: C
Mana: E
Luck: C
Ultimate: ?
|| Class Skills ||
Contact with Civilization: A
Dragoon: B
Independent Navigation: B
|| Personal Skills ||
Natural Body (Nanite): B
Marshall: B
Charisma: A+
Voyager of the Stars: A
|| Ultimate Skills ||
Sancte Michael: A++
Stella Proelatoris: B
Lorica: A
"Um, what the heck is this?"