The hum of the Hyperdrive starship reverberated through the hull as it surged forward, now fully operational thanks to the Rank-6 Heavy Solar Energy Generator. The repairs weren't perfect, but they had enough power to leave Ganymede behind and head for Jupiter. The vast expanse of space stretched out before them.
"System status?" Brady asked, his fingers hovering over the controls.
"Hyperdrive operational. Energy reserves at 87%. We're good to go," Angie responded, her voice steady.
Brady turned to his team. The decision to venture into Jupiter was clear, but the implications weighed heavily on everyone. Their target: the leader of the human secret society who had orchestrated Earth's sale.
"Alright, let's see what's hiding inside Jupiter," Brady said, his voice resolute.
The ship accelerated, and the crew braced themselves as they entered the gas giant's dense atmosphere. The ship's shields rattled as it struggled against the pressure and swirling gases.
"Hold on, everyone!" Jason called out. "This is gonna be rough."
"Stay steady," Brady ordered. "We push through."
The air inside the ship grew colder as they descended deeper, and Caleb made quick adjustments to the systems to counteract the immense pressure outside.
"Wait a minute," Angie said, breaking the silence. "I'm picking up an unfamiliar signal. Unidentified object ahead."
Brady leaned forward. "What are we looking at?"
"A massive structure, encased in a barrier," Caleb said. "I've never seen anything like it."
The viewscreen lit up, revealing a gleaming barrier, stretching far across the horizon. Inside it, a sprawling city, the size of a continent, rotated slowly, floating above Jupiter's crushing depths. Colossal platforms and towering buildings spread out across the floating city.
Jason's voice was filled with disbelief. "Is that… a city?"
"It's not just any city," Brady muttered, scanning the display. "It's Periclusapien tech. Look at the way the barrier's stabilizing everything. They've been here a long time."
The team exchanged uneasy glances.
Caleb squinted. "So, they sold Earth's resources… and now they're living in luxury. Who's footing the bill for all this?"
"The secret society," Viktor replied, his tone grave. "Those humans who left Earth. They didn't just abandon the planet—they got rich off it."
The size of the city was staggering, yet it seemed so small when compared to the vast expanse of Jupiter. The floating platforms resembled islands, with each one hosting different sections of the city—government hubs, research facilities, residential complexes—all moving slowly within the protective barrier.
"They turned Jupiter into a skyland," Jason said, still in awe. "And they're using Periclusapien tech to keep it all running."
Brady clenched his jaw. "We thought we were the most advanced species, but this… this is beyond anything we could have imagined. They've been selling off Earth's resources, getting tech that we can barely comprehend."
"And this is the price," Viktor added, his eyes hardening. "Humanity's future traded for safety and power."
Brady's gaze hardened. "This isn't just about Earth anymore. This is personal. We're not just fighting for survival—we're fighting for vengeance."
As the ship drew closer to the barrier, the reality of their situation began to settle in. Jupiter, a planet once thought to be uninhabitable, now harbored a thriving society of humans, sustained by the same Periclusapien technology that had led to Earth's downfall.
"Why Jupiter?" Caleb mused. "It's not exactly a warm and welcoming place."
Brady gave a cold smile. "You hide in plain sight. No one would dare come here—not with the radiation and storms. It's the perfect cover."
The Hyperdrive starship glided toward the barrier and passed through it with a gentle shift. On the other side, the crew was met with an unexpected sight: the city inside felt eerily normal.
The moment they entered, they saw humans—dressed in everyday attire, walking along bustling streets, entering shops, and socializing in cafes. The barriers had kept everything hidden, making it appear as though the city was a dead zone from the outside. But now, within, it felt just like any human city, with life going on as usual.
Jason blinked in disbelief. "Wait... this is...?"
"Looks like they've been living here all along," Caleb said, his voice tinged with surprise. "The barrier didn't just protect them—it kept them out of sight."
"Guess they weren't hiding from the Periclusapien," Viktor said, eyeing the human civilians. "They were hiding from us."
The team stared at the everyday normalcy surrounding them. Buildings stood tall, with street vendors peddling goods, children playing in parks, and citizens walking past, unaware of the strangers in their midst. Despite the alien technology that made all of this possible, it felt like just another human city.
"Look at this," Jason murmured, shaking his head. "They're living in a city that's hidden from the rest of us, all thanks to the Periclusapien's tech. It's a whole new world..."
Brady's voice was low and controlled, a mix of awe and anger. "This is what they traded for. Earth's destruction wasn't just about survival—it was about power. These people have been living in safety, using the resources they stole from us."
"They've been hiding their existence," Viktor said, his tone grim. "All the while, they've been benefiting from the very technology that ruined Earth."
Brady clenched his fists. "And now we find the man behind all of this. The leader of the secret society. He's the key to everything."
Caleb took a deep breath, eyeing the city's streets. "We're walking into a hornet's nest. Who knows how many more secrets they're keeping hidden."
"Whatever we face," Brady said firmly, "We're in this together. Let's get to the heart of it."
As the ship slowly glided toward the city center, the team was acutely aware of the tension that had built up. They weren't just seeking answers—they were seeking vengeance.
Ahead, the signature readings from the ship's sensors grew stronger. Brady's eyes narrowed.
"We follow that signature," he said. "It's coming from the center of the city."
The ship moved deeper into the city, passing by skyscrapers and sleek platforms, Fading into the Blue horizon of the city.
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