?


    In the vast expanse of space, the Gctic Rover cruised smoothly, Aldred at the helm, his hands steadier now as he grew ustomed to the controls. Smander, Shinari, and Cleome were strapped into their seats, observing the stars as they passed by.


    "Look over there! What is that?" Aldred pointed and asked.


    Everyone looked over.


    "That is called neb. They are vast interster clouds of gas and dust where new stars are born and where the cycle of ster life and death ys out on a grand scale," Smander exined.


    "They look so beautiful," Aldred said, his eyes twinkling.


    Shinari was also in awe when she saw this. Although she often saw one in pictures, looking at the real thing with her own eyes was apletely different experience.


    The vibrant colors observed in nebs are a result of various elements and molecules present within them. Ionized hydrogen (HII regions) typically appears red, while other ions such as doubly ionized oxygen and ionized sulfur can emit green and blue light, respectively. The presence ofplex molecules and dust can also contribute to the palette of colors, ranging from pinks and purples to oranges and yellows.


    As they journeyed deeper into the gxy, they encountered various celestial phenomena: vibrant nebs, distant pulsars, and colossal asteroid fields. Each sight was more awe-inspiring than thest, reminding them of the infiniteness of the universe.


    Aldred enjoyed the sight with a smile. In the future, he would certainly bring his wives and the others to enjoy this view as well.


    During their travels, Smander continued to educate Aldred about the intricacies of space navigation. He exined the importance of charting safe routes, avoiding potential hazards, and understanding the peculiarities of differentary systems.


    Shinari, although captivated by the cosmic wonders, couldn''t shake off her worries entirely. She kept stealing nces at Aldred, who was determinedly focused on the task at hand. In the quiet moments, she found herself contemting the challenges thaty ahead.


    ''What kind of aliens will we meet in the future? we are no longer under the assistance of the military, so we have to fight for our own.''


    As Shinari was worrying, Cleome, on the other hand, was brimming with enthusiasm. She explored every corner of the spacecraft and bothered Smander to exin to her for every single thing she touched.


    "Can you ask me first before you decide to touch things?"


    Cleome mockingly showed her tongue at him.


    Days turned into weeks as they traversed the gxy, finally arriving at the Gctic Mercenary Group''s branches.


    "Star sytem: Astralonis," the spaceship spoke with ady-like robotic voice.


    "What''s that?" Aldred asked.


    "That''s the automaticary system weing us."


    "Well, here we are. Go closer to that."


    Aldred did as instructed and on the screen, a name popped up. "Seraphara. That''s a beautiful name for a."


    Viewed from space, Seraphara appeared as a testament to human innovation. The had been transformed into a bustling hub of activity, its surface twinkling with the lights of advanced human settlements and shielded infrastructures.


    Theary shield, a translucent, shimmering dome, encased Seraphara like a protective cocoon. It glowed softly, reflecting the distant light of its parent star, Luminara, creating an ethereal aura around the entire.


    Beneath the protective shield, the surface of Seraphara was dotted with clusters of brilliantly illuminated human settlements. These settlements were carefully designed, their geometric patterns visible even from space, showcasing the order and precision with which they had been nned. The buildings, aglow with artificial light, created intricate constetions against the''s surface.


    "What a beautiful," Aldredmented.


    Everyone else was excited as well as they had never went to space before.


    asionally, glimmers of movement could be observed – human spacecraft docking and departing, shuttles zipping between settlements, and the asional sh of light as defense systems were tested and monitored. Seraphara''s appearance from space had been a testament to the symbiotic rtionship between humanity and technology, illustrating the harmonious coexistence between advanced civilizations and the cosmic wonders that surrounded them.


    ''Perhaps Earth could be like this in a few thousand years,'' Aldred thought to himself. ''Well, at least I know that humans will not bepletely extinct.''


    Suddenly, a projection popped out. It was Commander Brenea.


    "Oh crap," Smander cursed before he saluted in a nervous manner.


    "Smander," Commander Brenea called with a frown. "You leave your ranks without saying anything. Do you care to exin?"


    "I—I apo—"


    "You should have tell me. I would''ve given you a better spacecraft."


    "Huh?" Smander and everyone else was shocked.


    "The four of you are joining the Gctic Mercenary Group right?"


    "That''s correct, ma''am."


    "Then I have no problem. The Gctic Mercenary Group is a vital organizations for humanity fighting against the aliens and demons. I wouldn''t have forgiven you if you runaway from your position because of cowardice. Joining the mercenary simply means that you have better ideas in eradicating the demons."


    Smander, Shinari, and Cleome were quite embarrassed.


    "My prayers will be with you. Good luck out there."


    "Thank you, ma''am!" they saluted.


    The projection vanished.


    "Oh, well. Thankfully, we''re not used of treason," Smander said.


    Suddenly, a beeping noise came. "Commencing auto-docking system. Please do not move your vehicle."


    Aldred quickly pulled his hands from the control system.


    The spacecraft made its dock on one of the many space stations orbiting the.


    "And we''ve arrived!" Smander shouted before heughed.


    The door of the spacecraft opened and all of them walked to the bridge where they were greeted by a man with a pair of sses.


    "Before you can enter the, I will have to confirm your identity."


    ''Uh oh,'' Aldred worried. He hadn''t had any ID yet.


    Smander pulled out four cards out of his mechanical hands and gave it to the officer.


    The officer nodded. "All clear."


    Smander retrieved the cards and kept it.


    As they walked along the space bridge, Aldred asked. "When did you create an ID for me?"


    Smander smiled. "Don''t worry about it."


    They entered a space elevator with other people. The space elevator was just a big ss tube with no wires. Aldred saw some sort of thrusting engine on the top and bottom of the ss tube that allow its movement.


    They slowly entered the.


    As the space elevator descended, Aldred and the group were treated to a breathtaking view of Seraphara, the technologically advanced. The elevator moved gracefully through the''s atmosphere, offering a panoramic disy of bustling tech-activity, glittering cityscapes, and awe-inspiring structures.


    The surface of Seraphara was a testament to human ingenuity. Skyscrapers made of sleek, reflective materials stretched towards the sky, their surfaces adorned with holographic disys showcasing various advertisements and announcements. Flying vehicles zipped through the air with remarkable precision, following designated pathways in the sky.


    Gigantic screens adorned the sides of buildings, disying news updates, art exhibitions, and interactive advertisements. People walked along transparent sidewalks, their footsteps lighting up the path beneath them. Automated drones whirred above, performing tasks ranging from delivering packages to monitoring the city for any signs of trouble.


    As the space elevator reached the ground, the doors slid open, revealing the heart of Seraphara. The ground beneath their feet was made of a smooth, iridescent material that seemed to shimmer with every step. Aldred couldn''t help but touch it, marveling at the advanced materials used to construct the city.


    The people there looked at Aldred weirdly.


    Smander quickly pulled him to stand up. "Don''t act like a country bump. You''re going to embarrass us."


    "Sorry about that."


    They ventured further into the city, guided by the holographic signs that adorned the streets. The city was a blend of traditional architecture and futuristic designs. Ancient-looking temples stood alongside sleek, metallic structures, creating a unique juxtaposition of the past and the future.


    "It''s so amazing despite all the tech around them, people still pray to god."


    "Hmm? That''s normal though. Gods exist so people often pray to them."


    "Huh?" Aldred blinked a couple of times in confusion."


    "Ahh, does your gxy or universe has no gods"


    "Uhh… we kinda have." Aldred exined his concept of gods.


    "It''s kind of the same thing here. But they are not really all-knowing and all-powerful. And unlike your god, the gods here have showed themselves and actually got involved in the material realm direct or indirectly."


    "Does the gods sided with us?" Aldred asked.


    "There are many gods. The demon gods, the alien gods, the elves gods, and so many more."


    "What is your definition of god exactly?"


    "An entity capable of altering the current situation of arge region of the gxy with their action?"


    "Ah, I see. So is the Emperor a god for you?"


    "Of course. The Emperor is one of our main gods and almost every human prays to him. His power is beyond anything you can imagine."


    Aldred nodded in understanding. Shinari had told about the magical feats the Emperor had done. Still, he still could not believe that a man was capable of creating a super-nova with a p of his hand.


    A supernova was a catastrophic explosion that urred when a star died leading to an incredibly powerful burst of energy.


    From what Aldred learned, a supernova can release an enormous amount of energy, equivalent to the energy output of an entire gxy for a brief period in the form of shockwaves.


    These explosions would destroy anything in the distance of 50 light years.


    Such power… if true then the Emperor would be worthy to be called a god.