A month later:
The Celestial Mariner had been flying for almost a month.
The first destination was the Schenken system, according to the contract, Jake was to pick up high-value equipment which was produced by the large-scale factories owned by Hoffman Heavy Industries.
These factories produced armour, weapons and mechanised combat gear for the military and private security companies.
Normally, important industries like these were kept tucked away into the Chains however, some of the resources required were found in abundance in the Schenken system.
The factories were almost 2 centuries old and back then, it was extremely difficult to mine, transport and then produce the required products. It also became too costly and was not feasible for such actions.
As such, the factories were built right next to the mines on top of the planet, and since the borders were still quite far from the system, it was relatively safe.
'We are almost there Atlas, I'm surprised there isn't more security in the system.' Jake spoke to the Atlas.
(Well most orders are picked up personally by those who need them and the government gets theirs delivered. There are your basic space stations and Hyper Lane ports but the main security is on the planet, as a matter of fact, some of the blueprints for the HHI planetary defences are still in use today.)
'Well, the job is simple enough, Schenken to Carter. After that, we can check out a place somewhere in the Carter System.'
(Just keep your guard up.) The Atlas reminded Jake.
'I will.'
They soon made it to the Schenken system, with Aria and Lyra in the Co-pilot seats.
Schenken 1, the main planet and head factory of HHI was a cold planet, a terrestrial planet like Earth however it was covered in ice and frozen oceans.
This made the planet useful for mining and machinery, as terraforming the planet was seen as a waste.
Still, a decent-sized portion of the planet is covered in strip mining sectors, factories and a city of its own for shipping and housing purposes.
"Wow!" Lyra exclaimed as she stared at the light blue planet, the large storms visible from outer space.
"This is the Celestial Mariner, DTG - 4BG2, requesting permission to enter." Aria spoke through the comms waiting for a response.
Unlike other worlds Jake had been to before, no security ships were patrolling the planet.
'It is really quiet, if you were passing by, you would think it's deserted.' Jake spoke to the Atlas.
(Its planetary defences are impressive, to say the least. They've had us locked the moment we entered the System. They are well protected, so I doubt they would need patrol vessels.) The Atlas explained to Jake.
"This is Station Bravo 3, Celestial Mariner you are cleared to land at Sector G9, welcome to Hoffman Heavy Industries, may you have a pleasant visit." The female operator spoke in a friendly tone, guiding Jake on where to land.
Jake skillfully piloted the ship towards their designated landing zone. As they descended into the upper atmosphere, a palpable shift in the air enveloped them. The icy gusts, formidable and biting, swept past the cockpit, leaving frosty imprints on the edges.
Breaking through the veil of clouds that concealed the mysterious surface below, the trio found themselves spellbound by the breathtaking sight. A vast expanse of unending white sprawled beneath them, the entire terrain cloaked in a pristine blanket of ice and snow.
The deeper azure stretches hinted at frozen oceans, and colossal mountain ranges, reminiscent of the mighty Himalayas, commanded attention. The harsh weather, dominated by storms and the season's wintry grasp, allowed only minimal light to penetrate, casting a surreal glow on the frozen landscape.
Amidst this icy realm, the colossal factories and machinery illuminated the surface, creating an otherworldly spectacle.
"It looks cosy." Aria yawned and spoke.
Jake knew they would have to rest soon and thought of staying a day here.
Jake rubbed her head from his seat as she turned towards him.
"You can stay on the ship if you want. You can rest if you want." Jake spoke to his sister, he could see the weariness of a month of travelling.
Yet she still had her pride, shaking her head before speaking.
"Nope, I'm coming. It's not every day that we get to visit an HHI factory" She spoke with excitement. Aria was taught well in business and economic management, after all, she was going to be the next head and a look into one of the most well-managed companies in the industry had peaked Aria's attention.
"Alright, I'll see if they can give us a little tour before we pick up the cargo." Jake spoke, wanting Aria to enjoy herself more.
The trio walked out through the cargo bay, the gusts of the icy cold winds blew into their faces as Jake breathed it in, feeling the cold in his lungs.
"Welcome to Hoffman Heavy Industries, my name is Sarah Parker and I will be your guide today." They were welcomed by a young woman in her 20s wearing a long fur coat. She had white hair and green eyes with an oval-shaped face.
She was escorted by 2 guards wearing mechanised armour, one of the most popular products sold by HHI.
Aria and Lyra stared at the armoured guards, intrigued by it.
Sarah caught onto the girls stares before speaking.
"I see you're interested in the MACE. Do not worry, I will give you a full overview of it and the other products inside. It's a bit cold so shall we head in?"
The girls nodded as Jake gestured for her to lead the way.
"Sure, let's head in." Jake spoke.
"Please follow me then." Sarah started to walk to an entrance which led underground.
They entered a metal corridor and went through the disinfection chambers. After passing through reception, they were led to an elevator.
The 2 guards stopped at the entrance as the rest of them got on.
"They're not coming?" Lyra asked Sarah.
"No, they're in charge of the entrance here. We're safe underground so don't worry about that." Sarah answered Lyra politely with a smile.
As the elevator went down for almost half a minute, they reached the main floor of the company.
"Welcome to Hoffman Heavy Industries."
As the elevator doors slid open, Jake and the girls stepped into the grandeur of Hoffman Heavy Industries' underground headquarters.
The main entrance unfolded into a vast, cathedral-like space, the ceiling stretching to impressive heights, adorned with hanging lights that bathed the area in a soft, white glow.
The ceiling, reminiscent of an arched cathedral, showcased intricate patterns resembling circuitry and technology. An array of suspended lights created a harmonious balance between illumination and shadows, guiding attention toward different sections of the colossal chamber.
There were multiple visible floors, accessible via transparent elevators and walkways, allowing a clear view of the bustling activity across various levels.
Near the entrance, a sleek reception area with a pristine white desk welcomed visitors. Receptionists attended inquiries, their uniforms echoing the high-tech aesthetic of the surroundings.
Digital screens displayed real-time updates on ongoing projects and corporate achievements.
Adjacent to the reception was a spacious food court featuring an assortment of culinary delights. High-tech food dispensers and holographic menus offered a diverse selection, catering to the tastes of the multinational workforce.
White walls adorned with digital displays showcased the company's cutting-edge inventions. Life-sized holographic projections of the M.A.C.E. suit and other advanced technologies stood as proud testaments to Hoffman Heavy Industries' innovation.
Strategic corners of the entrance hall hosted artistic sculptures and statues, capturing the essence of technological prowess. Each piece served as a symbol of the company's commitment to progress and breakthroughs.
The open design of the entrance area allowed natural light to filter in through concealed skylights, creating a bright and inviting atmosphere.
In the heart of the chamber, a central hub with interactive information kiosks and holographic interfaces served as a digital nerve centre. It connected employees to vital data, and project updates, and facilitated communication across departments.
Jake and the girls were guided by Sarah, visiting each of the locations as she explained their purposes.
The trio were impressed and once the tour was over, they were led to a meeting room with glass walls which could turn opaque for privacy.
As they entered and sat on the soft and comfortable couches, a small, wheeled robot entered, carrying snacks and drinks on the tray it carried.
"Thank you, B1." Sarah spoke to the robot, who gave a short whine before leaving the room.
"Please, have something." Sarah gestured.
Jake saw the two girls were still too shy and picked up a biscuit first. Almost immediately after the two also followed suit with Jake chuckling inside at the girls' antics.
"It's extremely impressive." Jake spoke gesturing to the facility as a whole.
"Thank you Mr Avalon however, the inner works of the factories are much more impressive in my view." Sarah spoke her personal opinion.
"Now then, shall we get to business?"