The journey into space had been nothing short of breathtaking for both David and Yuna. It was their first time truly seeing the cosmos with their own eyes, and the feeling of wonder left them speechless. They floated above Earth, observing the dark void punctuated by shimmering stars, distant planets, and the serene beauty of their home planet far below.
"This is amazing," David gasped, staring through the virtual windows as they drifted through the vastness of space. "It's so much cooler than anything I ever saw from Earth."
Yuna nodded, her own eyes wide with astonishment. It was a feeling she had never known, her heart racing with excitement. "You're right, David. It's incredible. The stars, the planets—they're so much more vivid and real up here." She gestured toward Earth, smiling softly. "And look at the Earth—it's scarred, but there's still beauty in those craters, with all the greenery filling them."
They watched the Earth spin slowly beneath them, the massive craters caused by the cataclysmic event centuries ago now blanketed with dense forests and overgrown ruins. Nature had reclaimed much of the planet, yet its beauty persisted. For David, the trip into space had always been a dream—an adventure that went beyond the limits of reality. But for Yuna, who had endured centuries of isolation and desolation, this was a rebirth, a moment of joy she hadn't felt since the world was whole.
They floated for hours, marveling at the wonders of space. Planets drifted past in the distance, and the vast emptiness somehow felt comforting, like a new frontier waiting for them to explore. David smiled as he gazed at the horizon. "Now that we have this spaceship, we should do this more often—exploring, flying. It's beyond what I could have ever imagined."
Yuna grinned at his enthusiasm. For David, this was his escape from the mundane life of Earth before the collapse. But for her, it was a respite from centuries of loneliness, surrounded only by machines and the vast wasteland of a ruined world.
After a while, Yuna glanced at David. "We've had a good time today, but we should head back now. We still need to prepare for our journey east."
"Yeah, you're right," David said, giving one last glance out into space. "But we'll definitely do this again."
Yuna nodded. "Teresa, take us back to the base."
"Understood," Teresa responded, and the spacecraft shifted its trajectory, heading back toward Earth. Within minutes, they were descending through the atmosphere, their base in the distance coming into view. The spaceship slowed for a smooth, gentle landing in the hangar bay. As the ship touched down, the hangar doors closed behind them with a soft hum, sealing them in.
"Good work, Teresa," Yuna said as they exited the spacecraft, leaving it in the capable hands of the AI to manage and maintain.
"We should move our food stocks and supplies to the ship," Yuna said as they began walking through the corridors of the BioLab.
"Yeah, we'll need everything—food, water, tools—and it'll all need to be stored in the ship's gallery for preservation." David added, thinking through the logistics of their journey.
They headed to the kitchen and began packing supplies, gathering everything they needed for the long trip. They worked efficiently, organizing and moving their supplies into the gallery onboard the spaceship, where the specialized storage areas would keep everything fresh for the duration of their journey.
Once they had finished with the food and essential supplies, they headed back to their rooms to pack their personal belongings. They didn't have much—just clothes, weapons, and a few other items from the BioLab. They filled their bags and made their way back to the ship, carrying everything they needed for the days ahead.
As they walked through the ship's living quarters, Yuna turned to David. "Why don't you pick the room you like best? We've got plenty to choose from."
David smiled mischievously. "I have a better idea. Why not let Teresa help us pick?"
"Good thinking," Yuna agreed. "Teresa, can you recommend the best rooms for us?"
"Of course," Teresa replied. "The rooms at the end of the hallway and the left corner are the most luxurious on the ship. Please feel free to inspect them and choose whichever suits your preferences."
Excited, David and Yuna made their way to the corner room first. Inside, they found a spacious, beautifully designed living space. A luxurious king-sized bed took up the center of the room, flanked by expansive windows offering a perfect view of the stars outside. The lighting, temperature, and sound settings were all customizable, ensuring that whoever lived there could tailor the environment to their liking.
There was a dedicated entertainment area with everything from movies and music to virtual reality games. The bathroom was designed like a spa, complete with aromatherapy features, a large bathtub, and a shower with customizable settings. A small, enclosed garden with live plants and soft lighting added a touch of natural beauty to the room.
David's eyes lit up as he explored. "This place is incredible. It's like a dream come true!"
Yuna chuckled at his excitement. "Let's check the other room as well, just to be sure."
The second room, at the end of the hallway, was even more spacious, with a similarly luxurious layout. It had a larger bed and an even wider view through the windows.
David considered both rooms for a moment. "You should take this one, Yuna. It's bigger, and I know you like having space."
Yuna smiled and nodded. "Alright. You can have the corner room, then. It suits you."
"Thanks, Yuna," David said gratefully. "I'll meet you in the cockpit in the morning."
"Good night, David. Sleep well," Yuna said as she watched him head down the hallway to his room.
That night, David indulged in the luxury of the spaceship. He asked Teresa to help customize his room to his taste, then relaxed on the therapy table in the bathroom, requesting a massage. Soon, the room was filled with the calming scent of lavender as artificial hands massaged his body, soothing his muscles and releasing the tension of the past few days.
Afterward, David took a long shower and sank into the soft bed, falling into a peaceful sleep almost instantly.
The next morning, Yuna was already in the cockpit, watching the holographic map of Earth projected in front of her. The map showed the entire planet, though it was based on outdated data. She zoomed in on specific regions, but even the most detailed maps couldn't account for the destruction that had reshaped the world over the centuries.
"Teresa, start the engines and prepare for departure. Open the hangar bay doors," Yuna instructed.
Teresa acknowledged the command, and the spaceship began to power up. The hangar doors opened, and the ship gracefully lifted off, hovering above the ruined city below.
"Where to, Miss Yuna?" Teresa asked.
"Head east. Scan all areas we cross, and map everything. If you detect any human activity, alert us immediately," Yuna ordered.
"Understood. Shall I maintain a medium-high speed for the flight?"
"Yes," Yuna replied. "Around 3,500 miles per hour should do. Show us live feeds as we travel."
The ship accelerated smoothly, and David, having just woken up, rushed to the cockpit, pulling on his clothes as he went. He found Yuna seated calmly, observing the live feeds as the ship soared over the Atlantic Ocean.
"Good morning," David greeted her, settling into the seat beside her.
"Good morning, David. How was your sleep?"
"Great, thanks," David replied, smiling. "I should have gotten up earlier, though. Where are we now?"
"We just started our journey," Yuna explained. "We're flying over the Atlantic, near Portugal."
The ship continued to soar over the water, Teresa mapping and scanning the terrain below. Despite the destruction, the world remained a mix of overgrown forests and decaying ruins. They descended as they approached land, flying low to get a better view of the landscape.
After two hours of travel, Teresa's voice chimed in with an alert. "A large walled area has been detected approximately 500 miles ahead."
Yuna immediately tensed. "Slow down, Teresa. Take us above the clouds and fly over the area at a reduced speed."
David looked puzzled. "Why are we hiding? Shouldn't we just head straight there?"
Yuna's expression was serious as she responded. "You don't understand. Those walls were made by a kingdom called Shangri-la, millennia ago. It was the kingdom, made by religious group by conquering the nearby area of the mount Everest.
They were powerful—many superhumans joined their ranks, and after they established themselves, they were left alone by other factions because they couldn't do anything to them."
She took a deep breath and continued. "If they survived the cataclysm, we need to be cautious. We can't just waltz in without understanding the situation."
David nodded, suddenly realizing the gravity of the situation. "Got it. Let's play it safe."
As they flew higher, Yuna observed the walls on the live feed. Though the world had changed, the walls remained intact, a testament to the strength and resilience of the people who built them.
"We'll need to investigate carefully," Yuna said quietly, her mind already working through potential strategies.