Bianca flicked her wrist, "So, like, whatever caused this, like, totally reshaped the, like, planet and stuff. And now the sea is, like, back to its original sea level from, like, before the Void Century. So, like, all the ancient structures that were, like, underwater or whatever are, like, surfaced and stuff now. So this could, like, have an impact on navigation and stuff."
She spun in her seat, turning to a monitor. "So, like, one more thing that is, like, kind of interesting is the sky."
Atlas's voice cut through the silence, his brow furrowed with confusion. "What about the sky?"
Bianca continued. "So, like, the sky was always like blocked by like the White-White Sea and stuff. But like since it's, like, gone, we can like get a clearer, more consistent view."
An image of the starry sky appeared on the screen, its surface dotted with constellations that had not been visible in centuries. Bianca gestured, her voice rising with excitement. "So we can, like, see the moon more often and stuff. And now there is, like, a ring of debris around the planet." She paused, her voice dropping to a more serious register. "Probably from, like, when the holes were, like, blown through the Red Line and stuff."
Marya leaned back in her chair, her golden eyes fixed on the starry sky. "We will have to reassess navigation, then."
Bianca nodded. "And we really need to, like, prioritize Facility 38-14. When the, like, sea was all rubbery and stuff, we, like, took on damage."
Galit's voice cut through the tension, his emerald eyes fixed on Bianca with tactical interest. "Are there any facilities here that would be beneficial?"
Bianca shook her head, her voice flat with disappointment. "Like, no. Halia did, like, research and stuff, and this was, like, a logistics hub. Not for, like, maintenance or anything. I might, like, be able to find something, but, like, it's probably damaged too from, like, being underwater or whatever."
Marya's voice was flat. "Have we been able to bypass the security protocols to determine its location?"
Bianca scowled, her voice sharp with frustration. "I am, like, still working on it."
Marya turned to Halia, "And what about you?"
Halia's eyes flickered with data. "You do not have sufficient security clearance to access that information."
Marya was unyielding. "And how do we acquire the needed security clearance?"
Halia's voice was measured. "Only a person of sufficient rank, station, and validating key card will be able to access the information."
Marya perked up, her golden eyes gleaming with interest. "Key card? So if we find this key card, you will give us access?"
Halia nodded, her holographic form flickering with acknowledgment. "That is affirmative."
Marya scanned the group. "It appears we need to look for a key card, then." She paused, her golden eyes sweeping the bridge. "There are still quarters and offices on this ship we have not explored."
Bianca nodded. "Like, cool. I can, like, get the automaton to help and stuff too."
Marya nodded, "Okay. So the planet has reverted to a pre-Void Century state." She turned to Halia. "Do you need to do any more extensive scans in order for us to navigate?"
Data streamed across Halia's eyes, "It is advised that I continue my scans for at least another twelve hours before disembarking."
Bō-Zak blew out a plume of smoke, his gold-flecked eyes fixed on the holographic globe. "It seems odd to me that there is nothing in the news about what happened."
Halia's voice was measured, "News channels are currently reporting that the World Government has fallen and the once-Revolutionary Army will be standing in its place. They are sending a message of unity and equality."
Marya sighed. "The Revolutionary Army."
Vesta's head tilted in confusion. "Is that a bad thing?"
Marya shook her head, her golden eyes fixed on the holographic globe. "I don't know. But regime changes do not have a history of easy transitions."
Charlie cleared his throat, his finger rising in the air with the characteristic gesture of a man about to launch into a lecture.
Marya cut him off with a wave of her hand, "We already know, Charlie!"
The crew chuckled, their laughter a welcome release of tension in the strained atmosphere. Charlie blinked, his expression shifting to one of bewildered innocence.
Marya scanned the group. "Okay. So let's talk about why we are here." She paused, her golden eyes fixing on the crew. "Was anyone able to locate the Wani Wani no Mi, Model: Ginga?"
Galit opened his mouth to respond—
Kaburo's voice cut through the silence, flat and dry. "Galit ate it."
Marya's head whipped around, her golden eyes fixed on Galit with flat disbelief. Galit scowled at Kaburo, whose expression was one of smug satisfaction. Atlas buckled over, his laughter echoing through the bridge as he slapped his knee.
Marya rested her head on a bent elbow with an exponent expression. "Explain."
Galit's emerald eyes darted around the group with a defensive edge. "It wasn't intentional! The ceiling fell, and when I was knocked out of the way, I swallowed it."
Atlas's laughter was a roar, his voice carrying the delighted mockery, getting under Galit's skin. "Way to go, noodle neck!"
Galit snapped, sharp with irritation. "Shut it, fur ball!"
Marya shook her head with dry humor. "Well, at least we achieved what we came for."
Charlie whined, "But Marya—"
Marya waved him off. "Relax. We aren't done yet."
She paused, her golden eyes fixing on the crew. "Jannali and I found a Poneglyph that mentioned a device called the Choros-Anemos. We still need two more relics and the Nika power holder." Her voice dropped. "The Choros-Anemos will reveal the location of the relics, but we don't know where it is located."
She turned to Jannali and Charlie. "I need you two to figure that out. There has to be something on this island that will reveal its location."
Charlie beamed, nodding with enthusiastic agreement.
Aurélie added, "There is a historian on this island who may be able to offer assistance."
Marya nodded, her golden eyes gleaming with interest. "Good. We need a location."
Ember groaned, her hand pressed to her head. "I am so tired."
Eliane's voice was warm. "I can make you something to eat, if you like."
Jelly bounced with excitement. "SNACKS!"
Marya, sensing she was about to lose the group's attention, raised her voice. "This island has undergone a dramatic transformation with the landscape, as well as with the population, as it has been forced to take on refugees from the falling sky islands."
Aurélie nodded. "It could become volatile."
Vesta hopped up, her rainbow hair bouncing with the motion. "We should help! I can put on a concert! Music always makes everything better!"
Eliane clapped, her voice bright with enthusiasm. "Yeah! They are so fun!"
Marya sighed, "Just don't go overboard."
Vesta's voice was bright with innocent confidence and no concept of moderation. "Of course not. I always do just enough."
Atlas chuckled, his voice warm with affection. "Okay, song bird."
Vesta cocked her head, "Huh?"
Atlas shook his head, his smile widening. Bō-Zak's smirk was sharp, his gold-flecked eyes gleaming with amusement.
Marya opened her mouth to continue—
Halia's voice cut through the chaos. "There are unknown personnel attempting to enter from the deck."
The screen flickered, and an image of Captain Acco Acheeth and Lieutenant Corin Rain appeared, their forms crisp and clear against the backdrop of the ancient harbor.
Galit pressed a button, "Identify yourselves."
Atlas's voice cut through the tension, flat and dismissive. "Relax, noodle neck. We know them. I will go let them in."
Galit whipped his head around to snap a reply—
Atlas was already gone.
Marya raised a brow as she watched him go.
Eliane's voice was bright with enthusiasm. "I am coming too! Lieutenant Corin Rain is super nice!"
Jelly bounced, his voice bright with excitement. "Me too! Me too!"
Bianca turned to Galit, with tactical assessment. "So, like, maybe we should, like, ask what they, like, want and stuff."
Galit nodded. He pressed the button, his voice carrying across the coms. "Someone is on their way to you. But what is your business?"
Acco's voice crackled back, "We are here to invite you to a banquet on behalf of the Royal Family. They would like to meet the person who saved the island from destruction."
Everyone turned to Marya. She pressed her temples, sliding down in her chair with the exhausted resignation of being told she had to attend a social function.
Aurélie' interjected. "It would be in the best interest of—"
Marya cut her off, "I don't really care about any of that."
Bianca's replied bright with the enthusiasm. "Yeah, but it's, like, free food and stuff."
Bō-Zak' added. "And there could be interesting company."
Jannali narrowed her eyes, "Mate, you're not fooling anyone."
Bō-Zak's grin widened. "I wasn't trying to."
Vesta clapped her hands together. "So are we going? I can totally tell them about the concert!"
Charlie's added, "And I can offer them insights on some of their lost history!"
There was a long pause.
Marya groaned, her voice flat with the resigned acceptance. "Tell them yes. We will attend."
---
Atlas, Eliane, and Jelly stepped onto the deck, their forms crisp against the backdrop of the ancient harbor. The air was cool and clear, carrying the scent of exposed stone and the faint, metallic tang of the ancient structures that surrounded them.
Captain Acco Acheeth and Lieutenant Corin Rain stood waiting, their forms confident against the backdrop of the ancient harbor. Acco's golden-tawny cheetah form was lean and relaxed. Corin's wild dog frame was tense, his dark eyes fixed on the hatch with the wary patience.
Eliane bounced out, her silver hair trialing behind her, her voice bright with enthusiasm. "Hi, Lieutenant Corin Rain! How are you? Do you want some more tea?"
Acco raised a brow at him, her expression one of flat amusement.
Corin cleared his throat, with strained professionalism. "Not right now. I am on duty."
Eliane tilted her head, her expression shifting to one of innocent confusion. "Were you on duty earlier?"
Jelly bounced, "Tea time! Tea time!"
Corin cleared his throat.
Atlas looked at Acco. "You found us."
Acco looked around, her dark eyes sweeping the deck. "Yes. It's very impressive."
Atlas's voice was warm. "You want a tour?"
Acco smiled, with genuine interest. "I would love that."
Eliane clapped. "That's a great idea!" She took Corin's hand, pulling him toward the hatch. "You should come too, since we didn't get to show you around earlier."
Eliane pulled Corin through the hatch, Jelly bouncing behind them.
Atlas held the hatch open. "Right this way."
Acco smiled as she stepped through the hatch, her footsteps echoing in the ancient corridor.
The world had broken. But the adventure was just beginning.
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