Timothy skimmed through the latest test results he got from his research assistant and absentmindedly scratched his chin.

  “Meggy, what is your interpretation of this data?”

  “Uhm, Mr. Reed, I don’t see any difference to the other tests we did so far.” The woman said while nervously fidgeting with her hands, “To be frank, I think we still haven’t managed to influence the device in any way.”

  “So you say the data is always the same not because of malfunctioning sensors but because all our attempts to interact with it have been failures so far?”

  “Uhm… yeah?” She hesitantly asked.

  “Good, that aligns with my train of thoughts.” Timothy nodded and saw the woman visibly relax, “We are running out of tests to conduct however. There must be a way to access this damn thing. I’m fairly certain that this is the device that once was the First’s prison. It’s such an advanced technology, I can’t begin to imagine what we could learn from studying it.”

  “If we can access it, that is…” Meggy meekly added.

  “Yeah…”

  “Can’t you simply ask the First? Not only have you been the one to catch him but it is said your old crew has a tight connection to the Starborn’s AI. Surely you’ve a way to–”

  “We have talked about it, haven’t we?” Timothy sighed and lowered his tablet, “We have decided to go different ways. They have separated from the UAS and it is no longer proper for me to consult them. Also, I wouldn’t even know how to contact them.”

  “But, Mr. Reed, the value of this–”

  “No.” Timothy firmly cut her off, “There are good reasons why I’m here and not wherever they are now.”

  Wearily he walked over to one of the laboratory’s desks in the brightly lit room to sit down. All around him electronic devices were installed, analyzing the different machines and strange devices left by the Drel. If he came here now, Robin would probably have a hard time recognizing the Drel outpost he had discovered back when he was on Ruca II.

  They had managed to power up the whole facility and open all the side rooms since the UAS began to examine this place. Most machines were already known to them from other sites or quickly identified by the newly installed sensors. Just the big globe-like construction they had found in an adjacent room remained a mystery. It was covered in an unknown metal and no matter what they tried, Timothy and his colleagues didn’t make any progress in their attempts to uncover its secrets.

  He knew a bit more about the history of the First, or Guard as Robin had called the AI, and he was sure that this strange device must be connected to the AI’s long slumber. Alas, no matter what tests he ran, he didn’t get any response from the damn thing whatsoever.

  Just as Timothy was wracking his brain about any new methods he could try, another researcher entered the laboratory.

  “Mr. Reed, the scanners are reporting the arrival of a ship.” The man said, a bit confused, “It’s not time for a shift change yet. Have you asked for anyone from the higher-ups?”

  “No, it’s probably just someone from Gaunus who wants to kick our asses, hoping we would hurry up and deliver results.” Timothy shrugged.

  “You think so? They should have learned by now that there is no use in pressuring us, right?” The man grumbled in annoyance, “It’s not like anyone is slacking off here!”

  “That hasn’t stopped them from trying so far…” Meggy pointed out.

  Before the three whitecoats could complain any further, one of their security guards rushed into the room.

  “We might have a problem. Please stay here for a moment while we handle the situation.” The man reported with a no-bullshit attitude. He was wearing an armored suit in UAS colors, a mix of white and dark green, and his bulky frame radiated the confidence needed for his job.

  “What kind of problem?” Timothy asked with a raised eyebrow, “Who is coming to visit us on this bleak moon?”

  “Well,” the guard said, already on his way back to the door, “it seems like the original owners of this place have decided to come back…”

  They knew they barely had a few minutes to prepare for the Drel’s arrival and panic threatened to overwhelm the researchers.

  “This isn’t good!” Meggy whispered, “What if they see all our equipment here? They will immediately know that we’re trying to study their technology!”

  “Well, I would be more concerned about the things that aren’t here anymore.” Timothy grumbled, “While we may frame it differently, what we’re doing here is pretty much looting their stuff. Not sure if they agree with that.”

  “The Drel are reclusive but not stupid.” His other colleague said, “They should be well aware of the UAS’s procedures after finding new relic sites or abandoned outposts.”

  The three continued to discuss their situation, knowing pretty well that there was nothing they could do in the time they had left. It was just a way to vent their stress and hide their fear. They returned to the main laboratory however, waiting for the Drel to arrive.

  Not even ten minutes later, the lights on the pressure lock that sealed the long corridor leading outside turned from red to green. With a hissing sound, the door opened and a group of heavily armored figures stepped into the room.

  Timothy immediately noticed that their two guards were among them. They stood in the back like scolded children with their heads lowered.

  ‘They didn’t kill them and haven’t even bothered to disarm them. That should be a good sign, right?’

  He gulped heavily when he turned his attention to the other three figures. They were at least two heads taller than the humans and fully clad in an armor that looked like it was made out of metal, which definitely wasn’t the case. The bulky suits hid all their features but their yellow, gray and white camouflage reminded Timothy of the gear from the UAS’s special forces. This was not just an armored space suit, this was heavy combat gear.

  Timothy couldn’t see their faces as the sharp-edged helmets didn’t even have a visor. However, they obviously could project the voice from whoever was inside.

  “Relax, humans, we’re not here for you. We merely came to pick up some things we left behind long ago.” The one leading the group said. His voice sounded artificial and didn’t help anyone to calm their nerves.

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  Silence fell over the room as no one spoke and Timothy was sure that the Drel were communicating among each other. However, he already had a good idea what they were looking for. This outpost wasn’t too different from all the others the UAS had found. Only one thing stood out…

  Clenching his fist, Timothy stepped forth, “Then, please follow me.”

  Without waiting for an answer, he headed for the room with the huge metal globe. Heavy footsteps followed him.

  After reaching the object, Timothy quickly began to remove all the sensors they had placed and then turned to the Drel.

  “I cannot guarantee the functionality of the object, but I can vouch for the UAS. My colleagues and I haven’t been able to interact with it at all. If there is anything wrong with it, it is not on us.”

  There was a short silence, then the Drel nodded and motioned for one of his people to proceed. The other Drel walked up to the globe and took out a small metal box which he wired to the only connector on the otherwise smooth metal. Timothy and his colleagues had tried everything to establish any kind of connection with the thing before, but when the Drel pressed a button on the little box, the globe instantly stirred to life.

  Timothy staggered back as the round machine first expanded a bit, creating gaps between the metal plates. Then he looked on with wide eyes as the whole construction started to fold together and rapidly shrunk in size.

  After less than a minute the spectacle stopped and the Drel stepped forth to pick up his box and the globe that was now no bigger than a head. Timothy stared with wide eyes. Everything he had just seen should be impossible. Where had all the object’s mass vanished to?

  ‘That made no sense at all…’ he mused, ‘That definitely isn’t technology from the Drel. Maybe from Starborn since it’s connected to the First?’

  “The device is working as intended.” The Drel in charge said and interrupted Timothy’s thoughts while the others left the room and returned to the main laboratory. “You have researched it?”

  “Uhm, yeah. I tried since I assumed it is connected to the First.” Timothy answered honestly.

  “You are Timothy Reed,” the Drel said, surprising him, “You are the one who managed to trap the First in the UAS network, correct?”

  “Eh… yes?” Timothy hesitated, not sure he liked the direction of this talk, “But I also helped my friends to free him again after realizing who we were dealing with. No harm was done to the First!”

  “We also have to trap someone, your knowledge and experience with the First might come in handy. Are you willing to accompany us?”

  Timothy’s breath stopped for a moment. The Drel were asking him to follow them? This was a unique chance and his mind raced with dozens of different thoughts and worries. He knew about the Drel’s struggle back in their home region and heard the rumors.

  “You want to trap the Second…” he muttered.

  “Yes. While the Destroyer has finally left our territory, it is the UAS who will have to face its wrath now. We work together with the First to ensure that his rampage is getting stopped once and for all.” The Drel said, “You can be a part of this. Protect the known universe and write history.”

  “I… I don’t know.” Timothy stammered, “The First was incomplete last time. It would have never worked if he hadn’t split himself and reduced his capabilities. I’m not sure how I could help you.”

  “Maybe you can’t or maybe, in a critical moment, it is an idea of you that will tip the scale. Decide now, human.”

  Timothy took a few deep breaths and calmed his mind.

  “Thank you for your offer. But my place is here. I have tasted the adventurous life before and realized that it is not for me. If you allow it, I would like to stay with my colleagues.”

  The Drel stared at him for a long moment, the features of his metal helmet gleaming coldly. “Very well.” He finally said and turned around to walk out of the room, leaving Timothy behind.

  ***

  After returning to his ship, Hallan took off his helmet and looked at his companions.

  “Is the device secured?”

  “Yes, sir, initial scans indicate 100% reliability.” A female Drel reported.

  “Good. Then let us depart. We have to get it to the First as soon as possible.”

  “Sir, what about the human researcher?”

  “He wanted to stay.” Hallan shrugged, the heavy armor following his movement, “But I’ve made sure that our conversation was overheard and will leave a trail.”

  “So, the Destroyer will know?” The woman hesitantly asked.

  “Oh yes, there is no way he will not learn about this.” Hallan said with a grin, “Now let’s depart and travel to the First.”

  ***

  Robin stumbled through the corridors of Farlight as Niu, who held his hand in a firm grip, excitedly pulled him along.

  “Come on! Don’t be such a slowpoke!” She urged him.

  “I’m here, no worries.” He sighed just as they came to a halt in front of an elevator, “Where are we even going?”

  “Outside!” Niu giggled, “After realizing that Farlight won’t stay hidden no matter what, the Eltaran have loosened the restrictions a bit.”

  Together they stepped into the elevator and Niu selected the topmost level. While they waited she leaned in to give him a kiss.

  “I have a small surprise for you,” she said, “something to cheer you up after all these stressful days.”

  “I don’t need cheering up.” Robin chuckled, “I told you already, I’m fine.”

  “So you don’t want the surprise?” She asked, giving a glare that made it unmistakably clear that there was only one correct answer.

  “What? No, of course I do,” he said and quickly raised his hands in defense. “I can hardly keep my excitement in check!”

  Niu scoffed but just then the elevator arrived and the door slid open.

  It was getting late already and the sun was nearing the edge of the horizon when they stepped out.

  “Wow…” Robin marveled in awe as he took in the view. They stood on top of a plateau in the mountains and before them a deep valley was sprawling, filled with forests and rivers. The sound of rushing water, the rustling of the wind and cries of wild animals reached his ears. His gray vision took some of its charm, but it was a beautiful and magnificent sight nonetheless.

  “Amazing!” Happy agreed but then shook her head to clear her thoughts, “Come, we have time to enjoy the view later.”

  When he turned around, Robin first noticed the natural looking rock that was hiding the elevator they had just used. Without knowing where to search, it would be impossible to spot the door. Behind the rock, in the middle of the plateau, the huge form of the Relentless Stride was resting.

  “Huh? How did you know where Proto had parked the ship?” He wondered while Niu already pulled him along.

  “Oh, he told me, of course.”, she laughed, “We have an appointment with the tin can after all.”

  “We’re meeting Proto?” Robin whined, “I’ve changed my mind. I don’t want my surprise anymore!”

  “Wow, rude!” The AI’s voice echoed from the ship. “But it’s too late already. I’ve prepared everything and now I really want to get it over with.”

  Giving in, Robin followed Niu into the ship and soon found himself at the top deck. On his way to the bridge he passed by the Star Atlas and once more marveled at the sight of the cube that was pulsing with bright light.

  “Please connect your Neuro Chip to the ship,” Proto said after they reached the bridge, “We will be done in a minute.”

  “Fine…” Robin said, sat down on his seat and took out the cable. Niu quickly helped him plug it in and then left.

  “Hey, where are–”

  “She will wait for you outside.” Proto cut him short, “This should be a moment between you and me. Just like when it all began.”