After two weeks in which Opal had practically killed Kaith, Lee, and the rest of them with training sessions—except for Heysti, who stayed away and trained on his own—the day of departure finally arrived. It was early morning. Everyone gathered for one last briefing before heading straight to the location Kaith's mother had chosen for their departure. When they arrived, the first thing that caught Kaith's attention was a massive spaceship.
-We're here, Mom. Everyone is present and ready for duty, Kaith said.
-Very good. I wish you a pleasant journey and success in your mission.
-Thank you, but why do we need a ship? Jesper asked, confused.
-Yeah, can't we just teleport? Opal asked.
-No, because the planet Tarvis is surrounded by an energy field that prevents teleportation. The only way to reach it is by spaceship or by other means that do not involve teleportation, Queen Lira explained to the team.
-Good to know, Jesper said.
-Does that mean I won't be able to use my powers? Opal asked.
-You will, Opal, as long as you open portals.
-Let's stop wasting time and go, Silvia said.
-Yeah, let's go, Kaith added.
- I still can't believe we're doing this… Lee said to Heysti, who only shrugged.
-Good luck, Kaith's mother said.
They all boarded the ship, but no sooner had they stepped inside than they ran into a small problem.
-Who's going to pilot the ship? Will asked.
-I have a better question—who knows how to fly a spaceship? Violet added.
-I do, but not this type of ship… my head hurts just looking at it, Heysti said.
-Then I'll do it. I know how to fly, Kaith said.
Seriously?! Terrance asked.
-Yes. My dad taught me.
-Then you're our pilot.
-There's just one small problem…
-What is it? Lee asked.
-I don't know where to go.
-What do you mean? Jesper asked.
- I don't know how to navigate through space without a map.
-How the hell do you not know how to navigate in space?! Heysti said.
- Doesn't this thing have a map? Terrance asked.
- I don't know, Kaith replied.
-Stop wasting time. Kaith, start the ship and get us out of the atmosphere, then we'll figure it out, Jesper said.
-Alright.
The ship started and left the planet. Once they reached space, everything began to float due to the lack of gravity. Kaith immediately pressed a button that activated the artificial gravity.
-Alright, we're here. Now what? Kaith said.
-First, you need to pass the rings of Lenardia, and then we'll see, Opal said.
-Okay, let's see what we have here.
Kaith examined the control panel, filled with buttons she didn't recognize, assuming it was a newer model.
- This one looks interesting.
She pressed a button, and the ship suddenly appeared on the other side of the planet's rings, jolting slightly.
- What was that?! Jesper and Heysti said at the same time.
-Looks like we have a small teleporter on board too, Kaith said, smiling.
- Is that why we got here so fast? Lee asked.
- Yes. Let's see what else we have.
- She pressed another button, and a huge holographic map appeared.
- Looks like we have a map now. All I have to do is enter the coordinates and… done.
- Is it really that simple? Rose asked.
- Yeah. Now I just need to watch out for asteroid fields and configure a few things.
You can explore the ship—it'll take a while until we arrive.
- How long? Lee asked.
- A few hours, maybe even until tomorrow. Depends on speed and obstacles.
- We're going to be here all day! And I thought we'd arrive in two minutes so I could sleep more, Silvia complained
- Don't worry. There are bedrooms on the west side of the ship. I can send you a map.
-That would be great.
-I want one too.
-Me too.
- Hold on, I'll send it to all of you.
After receiving the maps, everyone left to explore. Kaith stayed behind to pilot the ship. Terrance stayed with her.
- You sure you don't want to explore too? Kaith asked.
- No. I'd rather sit here and look out the window at space.
-If you say so. It's a long trip, though.
- At least you won't be alone.
- Wow, thanks. What would I do without you?
- Your sarcasm is deadly sometimes.
- That's just who I am. Get used to it.
Kaith began pressing unfamiliar buttons again, testing the ship. After a while, she heard a scream.
- What's going on out there? Kaith asked.
- I don't know, but I'll check. You stay here and pilot.
- Yes, sir, giving orders.
- Terrance left and soon found the others gathered in a living area.
- What's going on? And who screamed?
- It was Violet. Jesper scared her, Silvia said, bored.
- Oh come on, it wasn't that bad, Jesper laughed.
- Yes, it was! Violet snapped.
-You're all really weird, Heysti said, appearing with Lee.
Meanwhile, Kaith discovered autopilot and went to join the others.
- Hey, what's going on here? she asked.
*Violet screamed again*
- So it was you screaming earlier? Kaith asked.
- Yes, her, Terrance said.
- Jesper, stop it. You scared me on purpose! Violet said.
- You can't take a joke… wait, Kaith, what are you doing here?! Jesper said.
- Shouldn't you be piloting the ship? Lee asked, panicked.
- Relax. It's on autopilot.
- The ship has autopilot? Rose asked.
- Just found out a few seconds ago, Kaith replied.
- Did you find anything interesting? she added.
- Not really. It's just a huge space house, Will said.
- We've been on ships like this before, Rose added.
- All your ships are like this?! Heysti asked, shocked.
- Some are even more advanced, Kaith said. Those are for long distances… and vacations.
- I want one of these… Heysti muttered.
- If you're done, I'm going back to sleep, Silvia said.
- No one's stopping you, Jesper replied.
- Have you picked your rooms? Kaith asked.
Only Silvia has, Opal said.
- Then let's choose ours, Lee said.
They headed to the sleeping quarters, chose rooms, and later gathered in the lounge—minus Silvia, Lee, and Heysti. Suddenly, a loud noise shook the ship.
- What's happening?! Will panicked.
- I think we hit something. Everyone to the bridge!
They rushed there, joined by Lee and Heysti. Ahead of them were countless asteroids and flashing alerts.
- Kaith…!
- Kaith, do something or we'll all be floating in space! Heysti yelled.
- Oh, really?! I hadn't noticed, genius! Kaith snapped.
- Stop the sarcasm and do something! Jesper shouted.
- Yeah, we're all going to die, Terrance said calmly.
- Not the time, Terrance! Kaith said.
- Dude, what's wrong with you?! Lee added.
- Enough! If you don't shut up and let me focus, get out! You're making this worse! Kaith said angrily.
- Kaith, doesn't the ship have shields? Opal asked calmly.
- I don't know…
- What do you mean you don't know?! Jesper panicked.
- I've never flown this model before! And stop asking stupid questions!
-Then why did you say you could pilot it?!
At least I can pilot! Otherwise we'd still be on Lenardia!
- Enough. Jesper, be quiet. Kaith, focus, Opal ordered.
- Got it. We're almost past the asteroid field, according to the map.
- After a long, tense while, they made it through. Then another alarm sounded.
- Now what?! Rose groaned.
- There's a hull breach, Kaith said.
- What?!
- It's on the other side of the ship. It has to be fixed from outside.
- Then let's vote who goes. I vote Terrance, Jesper said.
- I'm right here… Terrance muttered.
- You said you wanted to go to space.
- He's got a point, Will said.
- Oh, seriously?! Why don't you go then?!
- I'll go. Just stop arguing, Kaith said.
- But you have to pilot! Lee said.
- I'll put it on autopilot.
-Yeah, that worked great last time, Jesper said sarcastically.
- Fine. Terrance, take my place.
- What?! I can't pilot!
- Just keep the controls steady and don't press anything. I'll be back soon.
Kaith left before Terrance could argue. She was soon outside the ship, floating in space. It was cold, and she wore no suit.
---info:A.P.M: but as a semi-cosmic entity, she adapted instantly.----
She repaired the breach quickly and returned. Inside, Terrance looked lost, gripping the controls, Heysti tried to take over, Jesper laughed, Opal calmed Will, Lee was gone—probably sleeping with Silvia—while Rose and Violet admired the view.
Kaith took control again, and they continued their journey.