Chapter 1 part 7
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAiqnBO6gHm
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡihXkcIDAQV
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ101VLPwEPP
Void Emperor Tera Havoc
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzcw6LNpQYV
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvFrkMd7Hcr
“Uwhahahaha! I am the Void Emperor Tera Havoc! Tremble before my cosmic might, young cadets of Freyja Station!”
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCQqmDL14zJ
“Kyaa!”
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtl3qZVL4TJ
“Woaah!”
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWjZNB41CsZ
Inside the station's recreation dome, the children shrieked in terror, their tiny forms scattering like stardust before a towering figure clad in a helmet adorned with the massive, coiled visage of a Space Hydra.
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb6h9JI6abB
Yes, it was I, Narwhal—no! Void Emperor Tera Havoc! None shall oppose me!
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqF1048kliw
“Kishaaa!”
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4eAsoh3hMp
“Kyaa! So scary!”
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQATeSa1e56
“Th-this!”
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc30WSvXPWO
“Uwhahaha! Foolish cadets! Your plasma weapons are but embers in the vast expanse of my power!”
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlHt0CbvwYV
“Take this! And this! Damn you!”
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSJGJwhLAZA
“Ah! Striking at the joints of my battle suit, are you? A cunning trait for young spacers! But behold, the privilege of all true villains—destroying the tools of my enemies!”
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdsMdaHsURk
With a triumphant snap, I broke the training baton wielded by a particularly brave child.
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYWNlslarlo
“Ah! You broke it!”
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBh9At8kHIW
“Uwhahahaha! Only one thing can defeat the Void Emperor Tera Havoc—the stellar energy stored within cosmic wheat! Unite, gather the drifting grain particles, or this weapon’s seal shall never be undone!”
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoLkhV7NzSm
Brandishing a small laser pistol toy, I held it high like a beacon of destiny.
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo97rYzNG3h
“A blaster!”
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaeuJR3t4uh
“What’s that!?”
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCZs2PsnWhn
“Uwhahaha! Fill this container to the brim with grain particles, and this prize shall be yours! But only if you dare challenge me, Tera Havoc!”
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBaqXQJTmAe
“Let’s gather them!”
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhp0rggp9Ro
“Me too!”
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNTPvSJuBGo
“I’ll search the hydroponics bay!”
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfF3eZud1uA
Enticed by the toy blaster’s gleaming promise, the children scattered with a determination that could rival a fleet in pursuit of a star system’s last resource cache. Truly, their boundless energy—even after taking whacks from training batons—made them little terrors of the cosmos.
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoA1nt0XP9N
“You’re quite skilled at managing children, Mr. Narwhal.”
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4236ZW4sff
I turned to see Dr. Healer, his medical bag slung over his shoulder, his weariness from endless duties etched upon his face.
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLfayLsElMV
“Ah, Dr. Healer! Have you completed the morning medical scans?”
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk5b9L1TCje
I asked as I shed the elaborate Void Emperor costume. The good doctor, clad in his pristine med-tech suit, emerged from the bustling station plaza, his weariness betrayed by the faint dimming of his neural visor. The relentless use of healing nanites had clearly drained him more than usual today.
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡybheafqljd
Wiping the sweat from my forehead. “The cosmic wheat fields are nearly harvested,” I continued, “and tonight’s celebration looms large before we set sail tomorrow, doesn’t it?”
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0NzUWMQDjt
“That’s correct. Thankfully, we’ve avoided any decompression accidents during the harvest.”
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYM6jOoz7OI
“Not without your efforts, Doctor. You’ve been tireless. Are you managing to get proper rest?”
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Z7CVLwkT3
“The endless hum of the station’s recycling processors... I’m not accustomed to such clamor. The void is quieter near the core-world hubs.”
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj7txP36Odq
“You’re not wrong about that. Well, do take it easy while you can.”
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHu2PLFDebs
It was our final day on station security duty—a brief but mercifully uneventful assignment. There had been no rogue asteroid miners or space pirate raids to contend with, only the usual mishaps: malfunctioning droids, minor radiation breaches, and the occasional vermin infiltrating the hydroponic bays. Troublesome, yes, but mundane.
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9WQCOkcPvJ
The more dangerous sectors remained beyond our jurisdiction, patrolled by others in the endless expanse of transit lanes and far-flung asteroid belts.
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaPtcp813Tv
“How are the station’s inhabitants faring? Any severe radiation cases or suit failures?”
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡus6gKfvCev
“Mostly cases of joint strain and spinal misalignment. Zero-gravity work is a merciless toll on the body, especially for those without access to medical-grade exosuits.”
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHcWEofMeed
"Yeah, with no med-bays out here, zero-G work is hard on the body, huh."
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl5kFlhHaNW
“That explains why the long-handled harvesting mechs are favored here. But no amount of tech can halt the inevitable—age takes its toll.”
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHx72UKK2MU
“Distance. Lack of credits. But more than that, it’s resignation. They’ve grown to accept their lot in life... and seeing that is disheartening.”
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdSPiTiWQ2h
Nearby, the station’s children scrambled about, joyfully collecting floating grains of cosmic wheat into their containers. Watching them, Dr. Healer spoke again, his voice tinged with sorrow.
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6zgsh1g3Cp
“They say station workers like these only survive about fifty standard years, far fewer than the seventy or more enjoyed by core-worlders. Without proper care, their health deteriorates. Eventually, they simply... give out. But to the station’s overseers, that’s nothing unusual. Just another cycle.”
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXOervQIhkV
“Is it a lack of education?”
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvN2pRf0XKE
“Partly. But tread carefully, Mr. Narwhal—don’t speak too boldly of reform. Many among them fear the unknown, even the promise of change.”
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNAWhUMYLbt
"Oof..."
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAl3bBJjGrB
I didn't know. There are really places like that, huh. Though I had glimpsed such struggles from afar, hearing it laid bare struck a chord.
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp1uxIPNk8A
“There’s always a shortage of medical officers, especially in the Rim. It’s the same across the void, even on the capital stations. ‘Priority treatment’ for the wealthy aside, resources are stretched beyond reason. Even with all the advanced technology, it's the personnel that are lacking”
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ63HxhXJ7Uq
“If it’s not a life-or-death emergency, you’ll wait cycles,” I added grimly.
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7CMVskP0iW
“Precisely. I try to save as many as I can with the tools I have—nanites, cellular regeneration. But there’s only so much one person can do. That’s why we must cultivate the next generation. Still...”
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO03rBRyOxb
His gaze drifted back to the children, their laughter echoing softly in the hydroponic bay.
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqaksrfdUkd
“It’s a specialist’s path. Healing nanite engineering is far more intricate than combat tech. Training new medical officers takes time and resources these children will never have. Born into this life, expected to toil as their parents did... they’re trapped. Better off than the miners, perhaps, but not by much.”
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiwbkT4pRXl
“If medical officers like me can't reach them, I can at least pray they live longer, healthier lives than they do now. That’s all I hope for.”
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBbxNcB4djX
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpQBxcrn1mC
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhwgdsdD0s4
The harvest celebration was a charmingly humble affair, full of synthetic delicacies and cheerful Havoc as the station’s night cycle deepened. I’d hoped to enjoy it from the sidelines—observing the traditions of these hardy spacers—but alas, no such luck. Young spacers like me are apparently prime targets for the affectionate (and insistent) hospitality of veteran uncles and aunts.
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp8fyZjkWig
Before I knew it, I was swept into the whirlwind of zero-G dancing (a mix of spins and flails I doubt had any coherent choreography), space shanty sing-alongs (the lyrics made absolutely no sense), and an unending buffet of lab-grown “delights.”
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkd9FMANJJ4
Seconds? More like infinite servings!
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjmXszw6ObT
By the end, my stomach had filed an official protest against the meal. I deeply respect the effort that went into crafting those unique dishes, but let’s just say my taste buds were not on board. Still, I smiled through the culinary ordeal.
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpjs1NWTrJ0
"Thank you, uncle!"
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSbaBcWCcIU
"Thank you for the blaster toy! Come back soon, uncle!"
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRjWB1yD8T7
“For the last time, not Uncle! I’m your *big brother*!”
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN3lHvSsSs4
I called back, waving as I handed over a toy laser pistol that had been cluttering my storage for years. The kids squealed with glee and promptly began aiming it at everything in sight. "Just—don’t shoot anyone with that!"
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvlfAgWhMGe
The journey back was mostly uneventful, though we did have a minor detour when team leader Odinson managed to strain his back while hauling space wheat. He spent the trip back as an honorary piece of cargo on the transport. Apart from that, it was a quiet return—no pirates, no major catastrophes. I could breathe easy.
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaZQmO8nhvH
Every year, I dread this assignment, but somehow, it always turns out fine. I even got to try out a harvesting mech, which was surprisingly fun. The camaraderie with Baldr Station’s Security Team 3 was a highlight, too. They’re a good bunch—grizzled spacers who’ve seen it all. If we ever team up again, I know I can count on them. Though, given the unforgiving realities of station life, I wonder how many will still be around next time.
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe68acRRscE
“A person’s life shines brightest in the void while they’re alive,” I murmured to myself later, back in my quarters. I turned to my nano-engineering project, a welcome distraction from those somber thoughts.
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxS4z2Ko9gC
With precision, I dripped quantum chromatic solutions onto a dish of stabilized plasma. The colorful films floated and swirled, forming vibrant nebula-like patterns—cosmic beauty in miniature. I dipped a tiny data chip into the shimmering pool, coating it in those mesmerizing patterns. Once the chip was fully infused, I carefully encrypted the data and sealed it with my quantum signature.
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGortF4yRmE
“There we go,” I said to myself. The chip gets coated in the quantum film and takes on the nebula pattern. The thin colors allow the encoded data to transmit clearly. Next, encrypt this, package the chip, and seal it with my original quantum signature.
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMF9I4C6yse
"...Well, I want to repay them at least before I return to the void."
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMpepRcoZej
It was a message from Commander Havoc, not Narwhal. It had been a while, so the timing was good.
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcUSK8B4Qxa
Slipping into my enviro-suit, I stepped into the station’s shadowy night sector.
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoFl5LEgFhL
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHDEOKqM7sP
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0aLi1Yv9SY
The next morning, the medical bay was buzzing with excitement.
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhaO9BYYI69
“Dr. Healer! You have to see this!” Asisu, a junior medical officer, nearly tripped over himself in his haste to shove a comm tablet into Healer’s hands.
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQU5OHY3nix
“What’s got you so worked up, Asisu?” Healer asked, amused.
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNunqrBCMJR
“It’s a quantum-encrypted message—from Commander Havoc! And it’s real! The quantum signature matches perfectly! He sent the same message to other stations, too!”
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxenvg9Ipq8
"Oh? Commander Havoc is an inventor if I remember correctly."
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNqNo3QKGnP
"Yes! I don't know why it was sent here, but the quantum signature patterns match! It must be real! We have to make use of it quickly before other med-bays copy it!"
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKhjMMDzixs
Healer activated the data chip and skimmed the contents.
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbxCWHe3R3K
“Let’s see… Hmm. An emergency hydration formula recipe?”
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCNrg6PzPys
Indeed, the message contained instructions for a solution of filtered water, electrolytes, and glucose (or synthetic honey). The ingredients were simple, almost laughably so, yet the message claimed the formula was a cure-all for radiation sickness, zero-G nausea, and dehydration.
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq9T5IVMwOp
“If this is genuine…” Healer murmured, his voice trailing off as he processed the implications.
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbNbfQjGzx9
"...If this were true, it could save an unbelievable number of lives."
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs4pk9zayz8
“Asisu, we’ll need to test this immediately. If it works, we’ll distribute it across the stars.”
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0LoBf3Hm97
“What?! You’re just giving away the recipe? We could profit from this!”
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU9QhkZFiBW
“The message explicitly says, ‘I wish for this knowledge to spread widely across the stars.’ It’s not ours to hoard.”
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsqQWINqc93
"Oh... I see..."
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKEfPccFctd
"It seems to have been sent to multiple stations already, and the ingredients themselves are ordinary. We can't monopolize this."
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdMMA5XDozL
“I thought we’d get rich…”
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwUM65Hzpm2
Asisu was still a vulgar youth as a novice medical officer.
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVdlsoGT04y
“Asisu,” Healer said with a small smile, “do you really prefer credits over saving lives?”
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ5GnrQuwsP
“N-No, sir!” Asisu stammered, turning beet red.
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaow3atoYav
“Good. Then let’s get to work. If this formula is real, it’ll revolutionize patient care.”
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkxPoZBeAbQ
“Yes, sir!” Asisu saluted, his enthusiasm rekindled.
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgTboFrgJqi
And so began another busy day in the medical bay. The recycled station air felt a little less stale, the promise of hope carried on invisible currents. Dr. Healer smiled to himself. Perhaps today, more lives would shine a little brighter in the void.
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWwq5hYlMqY
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLWdHMchYjX
Author's note : wanna read future chapters earlier? visit :169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7WTlxOstmT
galaxianarwhal.blogspot.com169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsCpFD2oDJs
然後按「加至主畫面」