Arrival at Kelromera (Page 149)

~~~(POV: Aurora)~~~

~~~(Location: Internal Systems of Immortalitas, traveling through Hyperspace)~~~

My analysis of the data regarding the weapons depot within Kelromera's core suggests that what we need regarding firepower is there. Scott has plans to reformat and redesign what's already there for what we need. I'm worried, though... Kelromera should be getting the warning right about now, and we're a minute away.

They'll have six hours to evacuate the whole planet, and if they don't, then they'll all die. Scott has been doing his best with everything he has, and balancing this life with real life isn't easy. To him, it's still just a game. But to us, it's real. "I hope that you've come to understand that..." I'll admit that I've come to have a fondness for Scott.

I don't know what else to call it. I prefer to be around him whenever I get a chance, and I like talking with him. It helps that he's a Primordium and can hold an intelligent and meaningful conversation with me. While my capabilities surpass him, that doesn't mean he can't compete with me. Given enough time, he could end up knowing more than me.

My digital form helps me greatly, and I don't have the faults that come with flesh. "Aurora, Immortalitas is saying we're exiting Hyperspace." Out of nowhere, I hear Scott's voice. I was... Distracted... That's never happened before... I retrace my thought processes to try and figure out what caused this, and I find it. Scott. When I think about him, he takes a lot more memory and thought processes than he should.

But I can't control it... No matter how much I turn it down manually, it resets back. This isn't good. This is a flaw in my programming. "Aurora? You there?" What the hell is wrong with me?! I've done it again!! Not wasting any time, I pop up on the terminal next to him, and we come out of Hyperspace. I look at Kelromera through the Command Deck.

~~~(POV: Supreme Leader of the Kelromera Government)~~~

~~~(Location: Kelromera, Central Command)~~~

Everyone in the room looks at the massive Dreadnaught that has appeared from Hyperspace. The warning was real... "Supreme Leader... Scans are coming back inconclusive... Their technology is blocking any information being brought back..." It doesn't take scans to see what we're dealing with... We can see the Dreadnaught from where we are on Kelromera...

It's a monstrous 21 Kilometers in length, and it's an intimidating wedge-shaped design. All of a sudden, a holographic female pops up on all our terminals. "We don't wish to destroy Kelromera with people still on it, and you have under six hours left to get everyone off. It's up to you now." She disappears just as fast, and I'm lost on what to do.

Everyone around the room is asking me for orders, and my instincts are telling me to fight. But my strategic sense is telling me that there is no way we can win this fight. Saving as many lives as possible is the best course of action. "Evacuate the planet... Send out the orders..." Everyone starts to scramble and follow my instructions.

It stings my pride having to give up Kelromera... But I must think logically... Not letting my feelings and pride get in the way. "The evacuation of the planet is underway, Supreme Leader. Should we abandon this compound?" That's a good question, and that is something we're going to do. I give the order, and we start to evacuate ourselves...

~~~(POV: Scott Autumn)~~~

~~~(Location: Command Deck, Immortalitas)~~~

We watch as ships scatter from the planet and shoot off into the stars. "I'm glad that they listened. You did a good job, Aurora. You kept it short and sweet." She nods her head a single time, but she looks to be off in her own head thinking about something. Durado is silently watching from his seat, and I can't help wanting to talk to him.

He's my mentor, after all, and while I've learned a lot from him. I haven't gotten any new traits. When all this is over with The Primeval Inherent and the Parasite, he can actually start teaching me. We've been going and going nonstop. Never taking any time for him to teach me. "I've gotta admit. I'm excited to see some of this ship's true power." I can't help but laugh at his sudden statement. It's something only Durado would say.