The Aeroch moved gently through the universe, its vast form vibrating with the life it carried. The spaceship inside itself served like a self-sufficient city, meeting the needs of the displaced: the poor, the sick, the injured, and the tired. Every corner was agog with activity, and yet the systems and personnel of the ship ran as if by magic.
Jun wandered through the residential area, his shadow snake coiled loosely around his arm. He marveled at the ship's design—the clean lines, the soft hum of mana-infused engines, and the gentle lighting that created a sense of calm. As he observed the staff moving about—waiters balancing trays, cleaners sweeping floors, and managers coordinating logistics—the shadow snake stirred.
"Look closer," it whispered. "You'll see."
Jun blinked as his perception shifted. For the first time, he saw them: the beast companions of the Aeroch's crew. Each staff member had one, their forms as varied as the stars.
A waiter carried plates while a Glidefin Otter, its sleek body shimmering with aquatic mana, darted through the air beside him, helping with balance.
A manager led operations with the aid of a Brass Falcon, its metallic feathers shining as it relayed messages throughout the ship.
A nurse cared for a child, her Bloomhare friend emitting a soft, healing glow that calmed the patient.
A janitor moved purposefully, followed by a Dustspider, which spun webs that collected detritus and cleaned the air.
Jun's eyes widened as the shadow snake's voice echoed in his mind. "These are not ordinary workers. They are soldiers, trained and ready. Even in peace, they prepare for war."
The realization filled him with a mix of admiration and unease. The Universal Commune's commitment to unity and preparedness ran deeper than he'd imagined.
That afternoon, Jun was called for a debriefing. In a small conference room, he met a lawyer assigned to guide him through the contract process. The lawyer, a meticulous high human named Corvan, greeted him with a polite nod.
"Juniper Green," Corvan started, pushing a set of documents across the table. "You have several options to choose from. The Universal Commune offers all evacuees the opportunity to integrate into our systems based on their skills and aspirations. Let's review your choices."
Jun leaned forward as Corvan outlined the options:
1.Military Service: A fast track to citizenship with advanced training and steady income.
2.Civil Service: Positions in administration, education, or logistics.
3.Miss-Academic Sponsorship: SDE loan program for further higher education and a small lot of land for private means.
Jun furrowed his brow as he ponders his decision. His interest in the academic scholarship raised an eyebrow for Corvan.
"Most of the evacuees chose military or civil service", Corvan said. "The academic route is kind of.unconventional for your taste. It takes loans, and the land assigned is a remote lot, way from civilization.
Jun nodded. "I've thought it through. I'm thirty years old. If I don't concentrate on mastering my magic now, I'll lose the chance to really grow. The land will give me the space I need to train."
Corvan studied him for a moment before nodding. "Very well. I'll process the paperwork
As the Aeroch drew near its destination, passengers filled the observation windows. Jun stood among them, his breath catching as the planet came into view. Gaia was a beautiful green and blue orb with vast forests and shimmering oceans, stark contrasts to the industrial wastelands of Sector 13.
The shadow snake moved, his voice tinged with approval. "A world of life. A proper place for a new beginning."
As they drew nearer, it became apparent that the extent of Gaia's operation was immense. Tiny spots of spaceships darted across the sky, filing in neat queues for customs and inspection. Jun caught snippets of astonishment from the evacuees around him.
"I never thought planets could look like this," one of them whispered.
"It's beautiful," another said, tears in their eyes.
The Aeroch joined the queue, and after thorough vetting, it began its descent toward a sprawling spaceport. The evacuees disembarked in waves, stepping onto Gaia's lush soil with a mix of trepidation and hope.
Jun wandered through the jammed spaceport, drinking it all in, taking on this new life. Scanning the crowd, neon purple hair flicked back at him. A bright splinter of hair like neon against her pale face. She weaved and danced through the crowd like she owned the place- the fishnets and Gothic were a sight to herself alone.
Their eyes met for a fleeting moment, and Jun felt an odd sense of recognition, though they did not say a word to each other. He shook it off and continued exploring.
Later, in a corner of a cafe, Jun sat with a glass of Rotch—a cheap whisky popular in the Goldilocks Zones. He stared into the amber liquid, lost in thought, when the same girl appeared again, her presence a chaotic whirlwind.
"Mind if I join?" she asked, slipping into the seat across from him without waiting for an answer. Her beast companion, a sleek Sleeping Leviathan, curled around her neck like a delicate scarf, its translucent form pulsing faintly.
Jun raised an eyebrow but nodded. "Go ahead."
The girl grinned. "I'm Riry. You look like you could use a distraction."
"And you seem like you bring plenty of it," Jun answered dryly, but not so dry that a small smile didn't crack out across his face.
Riry is manic and excitable with great passion talking about all she's frustrated by and frustrated about resettlement dreams, about making a difference. Jun who was initially more cautious becomes involved in talking military strategies political philosophies.
"Free will is a myth," Riry declared, her eyes gleaming with intensity. "Everything we do is shaped by the systems around us."
Jun leaned forward. "And yet, within those systems, we still have choices. Small, perhaps, but meaningful."
Their debate grew heated, but neither seemed angry. Instead, they smiled, a mutual respect forming between them.
"You're interesting," Riry said, extending her hand. "Let's do this again sometime."
Jun shook her hand, noting the warmth in her grip. "I'd like that."
They exchanged contact information, and as Riry left, her Sleeping Leviathan flickered with a soft glow, as if echoing her excitement.
That evening, Jun returned to his quarters aboard the Aeroch. The shadow snake stirred as he settled onto the bed, its voice calm but firm.
This is a start, Jun. Make good of it. The nothingness does not wait for anyone."
Jun nodded as determination flared in his chest. The future was not certain, but he was ready to face it. With new friends, a new home, and a promise of growth, he would forge his destiny within the vast expanse of the Universal Commune.