I boarded the medical floatilla Panacea. It had a streamline, curved and tapered chassis with multiple decks for housing and other purposes. The outside had a brand new chrome coating. The floor was dark green tiles that illuminated pale green ripples with each step taken. The stairs leading down glowed pale blues stripes with each footstep. The doors opened without the need for a code or a push of a button. As we got ready for take off the announcement came that the intergalactic war has resumed so the floatilla had better avoid certain sectors. They don't take kindly to strangers. To them we are aiding insurgents while pretending to help the poor and the destitutes. We left anyway and landed in the war torn world of Toranga in the Bruiser sector. I somehow convinced both sides to observe as we helped the unfortunate. Both sides stood sporting pistols and rifles. Some were eyeing us while the others kept an eye out for trouble. We moved from town to the village. The four storey iron jungle changed to one storey wooden house surrounded by lush greenery. The people went from casual to traditional outfits. The women had their raven hair tied to a bun on the top of their heads. A long cloth wrapped to cover their chest and belly. They also wore sarongs. The men were bare chested and wore multicoloured sarongs. Their hair was shoulder length or shorter. The men had sickles as weapons and the women were seen wielding long sticks.
The mountain regions grain paddy fields and ocha orchards in tiers. They worked with perfect harmony with nature. The view was spectacular. The vegetation was in various shades of green. There were a few trees with red leaves and some with only flowers. The village was on water. They placed stilts and built wooden houses on top of the water. We were helping an old lady when we heard about a bombing in the capital. We had allowed both sides to search the floatilla for any suspicious items before we went out to help so we were ruled out as suspects. The culprit was a local. I had a suspicion this had something to do with the announcement made last week. So during lunch I mentioned that there are those from the other worlds who have been known to bribe locals to damage places where the population is dense. They feed both sides with fake stories. Fanning the flames to create a rift in society. This is a ruse to barge in and start a pretend reformation. This led to many deaths. The residents end up poor and malnutrished. To make matters worse there will be civil wars. And the so-called well-wishers become very rich as they steal things of historical and monetary value. My theory is that there is insurmountable wealth hidden on this planet. The outsides are trying to get this treasure for free so they can use it to get wealthy. The soldiers and the insurgents listened carefully and they sent spies to find the traitor. As we left both sides wished us a safe trip.
The next stop was for refueling. As we disembark a woman with short blonde hair wearing short and short came running our way. She begged us to let her board the floatilla. She had checked the manifest and found out we had permission to go to the planet Marion in the Capris quarters it is not near the center systems but not far from the middle either. The senate had made it clear that people can't take historical artifacts from one planet to be displayed in another unless it is on loan or Arman. Should it be made a permanent part of the museum. Then it is legally declared stolen. She is amongst the archeological society trying to unearth lost cities but unfortunately after the bill was passed they were not allowed on the planet unless they consented to the terms of the planet. Which they believe is preposterous. So we told her to find a different transport since we were not going to violate the law. We are medics and we don't want trouble. We are going from one war zone to another. The rule is simple. If you are not a medic you can't board the ship. We can't be bought or bullied or bargained with. The woman was informed to get the proper paperwork and find herself the appropriate transport. The integrity of this crew will not be marred. She stomped her feet before she went looking for a different transport. I followed her just to be on the safe side. She tried talking to many different capitans. Everyone had the same answer no. She decided to sneak into Panacea. I screamed and she slipped and fell down. Security happily took her as we boarded. The pilot took us to the upper atmosphere and had us check the floating crate from top to bottom. Once all clear was given we took off.
The others played with games and told jokes. I did meditative movements instead. Slowly going forward and backwards. Then left and right then up and down. Moving my hands slowly. I breathed through my nose. I held my breath for a few moments before I exhaled. Then I did warm up exercises before I ran around the corridors. I did three laps and went downstairs to cool down. The floatilla has both public and private plunge pools. I took the private one. It was made from alabaster. To make the climb easy they put steps and railings. I locked the door before I stepped into the bubbly and floral waters. I soaked in it till the computer mentioned it was time to try the stepping stones. I dressed up and followed the directions to an open space. It had the widest windows and there were railings every few meters. As I climbed the stairs I got to see why. The floor had stones of different sizes arranged in various pattern. The point was to hold the railings and stand still for a minute before walking to the next arrangement of stones. I had removed my slippers as I stepped on them. There was a brief moment of pain. I focused on shifting my body weight before moving on. The path was arranged in a spiral pattern. After thirty minutes I was allowed to go to the thermal bath and relax. I went to my quarters and got some sleep. I got up and wondering if we made it. We had reached a check point. The border patrol had launched scanner bots to check for explosives or anyone from the terror watch list. After the bot was scanning we were permitted to pass. The officer in question requested us to stick to a particular route as the other paths were filled with obstacles or unsafe due to pirates. Sas called to tell me I shouldn't be heading towards Marion as the other test subjects have been sent there so I waited till we were in a safe zone before boarding my ship Vigilance and flew to the Faraday system.
I came out to see Antar like in full view. According to the star chart this was the third planet in the Glacial system. This one is called Verglas. The planet is famous for three things. Giant fifty meter ice spiders, black ice hailstones and a labyrinth cave system connecting the entire planet. I decided to land and go exploring. I found miners dragging what appears to be huge eggs. I told them to stop. If these are babies then their mother is going to take retribution. They explained how they are removing any and all obstructions so they can mine the Unobtanium and Antrite. The planet is rich in minerals but this is the most prized. I shook my head as the guard stood watch. Sure enough a large monster. Glowing green eyes, with boney conical, ribbed projection protruding from either side of its head. Half a mile in height with cloven feet. Flared nostril and a battle hardened body. I advised them to handover the babies and after a few minutes of yelling. They gave the babies back and it left to tend to it young. As for me I hopped on my baby and flew to the planet next door. The star chart explained the planet is called Amagi. The planet is divided into four sectors. Halba, Sed, Sheg and Sheng. Halba is the coldest with the around the clock hail stones showers. Sed is infamous for having a permanent whiteout. Which means the only way to go from one place to another was using navigation otherwise the uneven terrain will get the traveller killed. Sheg is infamous for consistent heavy snow fall. Sheng is known for freezing rain called sleet. This section has a season where it rains ice needles. These are sharp enough to pierce skin. I am not the biggest fan of frost bite so I opened the star bridge and landed in the Sentinel regions.
The portal master was kind enough to let me in. He had rich brown hair, high check bones, and a rounded chin. His eyes are gray. He wore a gray shirt, pants and jacket. He requested my identification and I gave him my id stick. A few minutes later I was walking towards immigrations and was trying to get an exeat. Mira called fearing my safety. She asked me to hide wherever I had just landed because there is a galactic wide search for me. I explained my location and Mira was happy. She told it is safer there than it is with Faraday system. The Faraday systems are not technically advanced so I will most likely get caught. When the immigration officer came Mira spoke on my behalf. Mira used her chip to influence the artificial intelligence to protect me. As for me I had my body scanned and found out I was clean. That was about change as I was taken to the operations. I got a glimpse of the city. All the buildings are in different shapes and in varying heights. The colour palette was simple. Gray or white. I was taken to a dome shaped with the external structure made entirely of glass and metal. I took the elevator down and I was sterilized before I was dressed. After entering another room I was strapped down in a chair. A thin needle pierced my arm and I fell asleep. I woke up some time afterwards and saw grandma. Happiness overtook me as I ran to give her a hug. I went through and realised I was sleeping. I cried in despair. Moments later grandma's image became corporeal and hugged me. She explained that I will wake up once tests are completed. She introduced herself as Central intelligence. She explained how she takes the appearance of the person the host loves most so it makes things easier. She asked permission to scan my memories for someone else. She changed to Aneli. She took one look at me and whispered Traitor. Then changed to younger version of Nonna. The one I rescued from the Karkabun. She grinned, "Let the adventure begin." I felt a sense of calm and she said to absolutely nobody, "She is ready."
I opened my eyes to see a room painted in blue. There was nobody there. I walked out and was met with a polite elderly man who was walking to the bathroom. He welcomed me to the planet and hopes that I will have a safe stay. A door painted red opened and gave me a retinal scan. He explained this will make life easier as I live as a permanent residence. The man welcomed me and congratulated me for making the smartest choice of my life. I was escorted to the assessment room to see what my capabilities were. The lady mentioned my history as a medic, gardener and an artist. She asked me if I was open to being something else. I asked to be a student to study. I wish to learn. The woman scoffed, "We have intelligence for that. We stopped doing tedious labor and waste of time duties. So now we have plenty of time for our family and friends. We focus on what matters and so far we have fewer problems. I will find you with something fitting." I explained, "I like working. It gives me purpose and helps with my depression." The woman gave me a sad face and promised me, "My dear you are part of a family now. You will never be alone and you will never have to be sad ever again." After extensive search she came up with seven ideas. An opera singer, a comedian, a soldier, a bodyguard, poison taster, an owner of an inn or a bounty hunter. A bounty hunter is a disgrace in society. A bodyguard means my schedule is erratic. My singing is so bad the neighbour once called the authorities thinking there was murder. My comedy skills are just horrible. I refuse to drink poison. I am still trying to myself from being treated as a weapon so I choose to own an inn. I was taken to the western edge of the city where a two storey house stood tall. The building was painted a pale brown and the door was blue. I noticed patterns on the door. Ones and zeros along with dots and dashes. I guess there must be some reason for it. I walked in and my retina was scanned and a robot balancing on a single wheel came to welcome me. I named her Aria. It has glowing yellow eyes, three digits on each hand and a cylindrical body that gives a gentle hum.