Jake and Aria woke up early the next morning, their breakfast already prepared and left in their room.
Jake was told by Elian that they would meet for dinner later today, as Seraphina was still being checked on by doctors.
After the two freshened up, they started to eat, Jake discussed with Aria their plan for the day.
"So Jake, what should we do today?" Aria asked as she dug into her omelette.
"The guards said we could go anywhere we like, but I have something I want to see, so you can do what you like." Jake answered his sister. He wanted to know more about the paintings he saw in Elian's office.
"Hmm okay, then maybe I'll check out Shangri-la Island, I've always wanted to see it for myself." Shangri-la Island is perhaps the most popular Resort and Relaxation facility in GOE territory. With bookings made as long as years in advance, it was an incredible opportunity for Aria who was already a teenager and had never gotten a chance to act her age, even the last 3 years on Iona were just to pass the time in high school.
"Well since it's owned by the DTG you won't have to wait in any lines huh." Jake spoke.
"Yep, I'll take lots of photos for when we go back home." Aria excitedly spoke.
"It would be nice if everyone else came too."
"Next time we come, we'll all go together so go have fun sis." Jake didn't want his sister to feel guilty.
"I will, I'll see you later Jake." Aria spoke as she got up and left the room with the guards escorting her.
'Well, Atlas shall we?'
(Let's see what secrets those paintings are hiding Jake.) The Atlas spoke with excitement.
Jake asked the guards for a tour of the art gallery, that he spotted when they first entered the mansion and after a quick check with Elian Jake was led through to the massive room filled with priceless artefacts, paintings, statues and collections.
The room was glamorous and could be compared to the Museum of London which Jake visited with his family once.
Jake was accompanied by a butler who essentially showed Jake around the room giving information about most of the art in the room.
The atlas had already scanned and given Jake the information of most of the artifacts present but Jake did not want to be rude and kept listening to the butler.
There were a lot of items from Earth, something that was highly illegal if the GOE were to find out but Jake didn't care.
Something that did interest Jake was the largely intact military tech captured by GOE forces on Pluto.
The butler noticed Jake's interest in the item and promptly spoke "Ah yes, one of Master Dravaris' favourites, an intact interstellar beacon used by the Thraxian Command to communicate with Thrax. It is said that the last ever communication was run on this device." The butler pointed to a large circular disk laid flat behind a glass case.
"The power used by one of these for a day was equal to a year of consumption by a large country on Earth back then. It could transmit information almost instantaneously halfway across the galaxy and its technology was the basis of our Inter Solar Net. Technically it could still function, but whether we could receive a signal back is another thing. Nevertheless Mr Dravaris' has no intention of turning it back on as no good could come off it." The butler ended his speech.
"I see, thank you for the information, Mr Alfred." Jake gave his thanks.
"It is my pleasure, young master. Perhaps is there anything else you would like me to show you?"
(I haven't spotted that art style yet, perhaps it's in another room?)
'Doesn't hurt to ask.'
"Mr Alfred, I saw some paintings in Mr Dravaris'office, it was different from the others and I liked it. Does he have any more here?" Jake inquisitively asked.
"Ahhhh, those." Alfred recognised which paintings Jake had spoken about and gave off a proud smile.
"I see you have an eye for art as well, although unique and not for everyone, those were done by Master Dravaris himself in his spare time, although he doesn't paint much anymore" Alfred answered Jake.
This answer peaked Jake and The Atlas' curiosity even more as Alfred soon led him to another room, much smaller than the others.
Alfred opened the door as Jake entered but did not enter himself.
"Master Dravaris said that one would only be able to grasp his art if they were to view it alone. I will be waiting outside for you, young master." Alfred shut the door behind him.
Jake looked at the room which had a chair a few unfinished canvases and a small bookshelf on the side. The rest of the room was filled with different-sized paintings spread out around the room.
The first thing Jake picked up was the smell, it was of paint of course, but for some reason smelt both foreign yet inviting.
(This room is special Jake, I would advise taking your time here.) The Atlas advised Jake.
Jake slowly walked up to the paintings, giving his utmost attention to each one.
The unfinished ones looked to be of Serenitia Prime. One was of the planet, simple but the unique art style gave it an even greater appeal.
The next one was of the Headquarters of the DTG and Jake took a glimpse before passing by.
As he looked on most of the paintings were of the mansion, plant life and local animals on the planet.
As Jake made his way to the finished paintings, the aura around them felt different. Maybe because they were finished, they felt even more impressive.
The colours were more rich, the detail was even greater and Jake could even feel the emotion behind the painting.
As Jake looked at more of the paintings he noticed himself being pulled into the art itself.
Soon the paintings started to look stranger, they still kept the depth and emotions but something looked weird.
'Atlas, I don't recognise this.' Jake spoke as he looked at what he believed to be a city.
(Your presumption is correct Jake, the architecture is not one used by the GOE or the Kreedians. It could be a past civilization but my database carries no knowledge of this.)
'Alright.' Jake reluctantly passed by to the next painting.
This one looked to be a smaller town near a park. It still carried the same architecture of the previous paintings and even depicted what could be people although they were quite a distance away.
Jake looked at the sky and spotted 3 suns close together gleaming on the town below.
'The GOE doesn't have any trinary systems nor have we found one yet.'
(Correct, I believe there are a few trinary systems located in the North East and North West of the gala...) The Atlas was cut off by Jake.
"What!" Jake spoke out loud.
'You saw that right Atlas. It moved!' Jake looked below again and noticed that the people in the painting had moved a bit.
'This is a painting right?' Jake questioned The Atlas, not believing his eyes.
(Yes, the paint is organic and I don't believe there are any screens or illusions on the canvas or in the room itself.)
'Then am I hallucinating?'
(I don't believe so, I have not detected any foreign contaminants in your immune system.)
Jake looked a little longer at the painting before moving on.
Jake instantly recognised the next painting and he got goosebumps. His eyes shook and his hands trembled as he gazed at the painting.
'It can't be!' Jake closed his eyes and opened them again.
A ship was currently leaving a dry dock after being built. The planet could be the same as the others as three suns were once again overlooking the scene.
A large crowd were cheering for the large white ship glistening as it took off for its maiden voyage.
On the port side of the ship was writing in English that Jake recognised.
(It appears the words are-)
"The search for hope." Jake answered as questions upon questions filled his mind.
There was no doubt about it in Jake's mind now. It was the same ship that had been buried on Naru for 50,000 years. The same ship that had led to him discovering that photo in the captain's quarters and the last time he had seen his father alive.
Jake's heart beat faster and faster, his eyes losing focus as he felt out of breath.
(Get a hold of yourself, Jake!) The Atlas called out to him but Jake ignored it.
Instead, he heard cheers, cheers and shouting which seemed to be coming from the painting itself. It angered Jake even more as his memories filled his mind again.
"I have to talk to Dravaris now, this is no coincidence, he knows."
"And what do I know." A voice came from the other side of the room as Jake turned to see Elian standing there, a curious look on his face.