A few hours had passed since the ship was ready to depart. I looked out the cockpit window and, as always, the emptiness of space filled me with that mixture of adrenaline and silence that I couldn't describe in words. "Well, Silica, another day alone in the universe... and hopefully without the Empire finding me," I muttered as I adjusted some buttons on the dashboard, checking that all the systems were at 100%.
I couldn't help feeling a little paranoid. Every time I detected a distant light on the radar, my first thought was: "Damn, another Imperial ship?" However, as the hours passed, I realized there was nothing there. "Well, at least they're not going to try to destroy me today... I think," I said to no one in particular, with that sarcasm that had accompanied me since I began this journey.
I leaned back in the cockpit and crossed my arms. My mind began to wander. I remembered my old life, that of a weak human, without purpose or control over anything. It was curious how I could now build ships, weapons, and entire systems in a matter of months. "Damn, if someone had told me I'd end up doing this, I would have laughed out loud," I thought as a wry smile spread across my face.
It wasn't all fun and games, though. As I reviewed star charts and data from the last planet visited, a constant thought haunted me: Why was I here? Why had I been chosen or sent to this inhospitable space? There was no concrete answer, only the feeling that I had to keep going, survive, and somehow prove to myself that I could.
I decided to check the ship's radar again. I adjusted the filters to prioritize organic signatures and gems, suppressing my own essence so as not to interfere with the readings. "Okay, if an Imperial gem passes nearby and my ship gets lost... well, at least I'll find it," I muttered as I adjusted the parameters. Each upgrade I made to the systems made me feel safer, more in control, even though the loneliness was starting to weigh on me a little.
I pulled out a makeshift notebook—it was actually a holographic tablet—and started jotting down ideas for future planets. "If I find a planet with decent water, maybe I can build a lab there... or at least recharge my systems without risking dying of boredom." I laughed at myself for thinking about something so trivial, but I needed to keep my mind occupied.
Several more hours passed as I adjusted the thrusters, checked the scanners, and reorganized the power reserves. Every detail, from the compression of the ship's outer walls to the power of the laser beams, left me feeling satisfied. "Damn, I never thought I'd get so obsessed with this stuff," I admitted aloud, watching the ship respond perfectly to every command.
Finally, after a long day of work, I sank into the cockpit, closed my eyes, and took a deep breath. The emptiness of space surrounded me, silent and immense, and for the first time in a long time, I felt a mixture of peace and anticipation. I knew that what was coming was going to be more complicated than upgrading ships or dodging meteorites. Something on the horizon of the nearby planets promised danger... and adventure.
"Come on, Silica... next planet, let's see what you've got in store for me, or the Zetas will be here," I said with a smile as the ship adjusted its course.
"It's time," I said as I adjusted the wheel, and little by little, the ship began to gain momentum. The meteorite on the curve was approaching rapidly, but thanks to the upgrades I had made to the thrusters, the ship gained speed instantly. As the meteorite split in two, I could clearly see my ship gliding precisely through space.
I was inside, focused, doing everything I could to keep the ship on its predetermined course without error. "Planet Fagnar, here I come," I murmured, almost like a mantra, as the emptiness of space stretched out before my eyes.
The ship moved forward smoothly while I checked the radar. To avoid getting completely bored, I decided to pull out the Geometry Dash game I had saved in the ship's files. "Ez," I said with a smile as I passed the fifth level. For some reason, this game made me feel something like I was in control of something... even if it was just a little square jumping between platforms.
Out of nowhere, a dot appeared on the radar. My eyes widened, and I quickly went on guard. Thanks to the upgrades I had made to the system, I was able to analyze it in detail. "A ship... small, possibly Rubis," I said as I watched it move in the opposite direction of my trajectory. "So I have nothing to fear," I added, though my heart was beating a little faster with adrenaline.
"They're practically all over space, these guys," I muttered as I studied the radar's trajectory. I briefly considered taking advantage of one of the new ships, but shook my head. "If I do that, I could get back to Earth in no time, but I want to see more... space is full of places I've never seen, and I honestly want to explore them," I reflected.
Shaking my head again, I remained focused on the radar and the game. Time passed, but inside the cockpit, the minutes stretched into hours. My only companions were Geometry Dash and the radar, my two only friends on this ship that was, for all intents and purposes, my entire world.
As the hours slipped by, I tweaked small details on the controls, checked the systems, and played levels of the game that were getting easier and easier. "Not bad... not bad for a Silica lost in space," I chuckled, watching the ship respond perfectly to every command.
The emptiness of space remained silent, infinite, but somehow I felt at peace. There were no immediate threats, no Imperial gems nearby, and for the first time since leaving the inhospitable planet, I could simply... exist.
"Come on, Fagnar... I hope you have something interesting for me," I said, leaning my head back against the cockpit and watching the stars drift slowly across the glass. It was strange, but for a moment I felt neither fear nor pressure, only the satisfaction of controlling something as vast as this ship and this infinite void.
After a full day of sailing, Silica finally reached its destination.
"I'm close," I murmured, scanning the radar. There were no signs of nearby Gems, at least not crowds, and that brought me a small sense of relief.
"I understand," I said, focusing my gaze on the planet from space. It was a more... human-like place, one of those green ones with enough water to survive. Something that truly reassured me.
Carefully, I began my descent. First, I activated the radar to make sure there was no dangerous organic life. "I hope it's not some damn planet that eats Gems or people," I thought, remembering the traumatic experience of the mud planet.
When the ship touched down on what most resembled grass, the surface looked like something out of Namek, but completely different. The green wasn't uniform; there were muddy patches, pools of clean water, and some mounds that looked like small hills.
As I watched the radar and the data the ship's systems were providing, the classic loading bar appeared, accompanied by electronic sounds that made me feel like I was in a spy movie.
"Report... loading..." I heard as my eyes remained fixed on the cockpit.
"Planet: Fagnar," the screen announced.
"Life: 12% organic," it continued, as a graphic displayed small dots scattered across the planet. "Little intelligent life."
"Gems detected: 1," it indicated, and the dot on the radar flickered slightly.
"Gem engaged: yes," the screen added.
"Like ship leader: 90%," it concluded, as a miniature digital silhouette of the gem was projected onto the radar.
"Good..." I murmured, biting my lip as I analyzed the information. There was only one gem, and it seemed to bear some resemblance to a ship leader. That put me on alert, but it also meant I could explore with relative peace of mind.
"Interesting... too quiet," I muttered under my breath, adjusting the ship's position for a precise landing on a stable patch of grass. The ground vibrated slightly beneath the ship, but nothing that would compromise stability.
I activated my secondary sensors, scanning the area in more detail. "Confirmed: little organic life. Nothing aggressive detected. Water available, safe zones for human or gem movement."
I leaned forward in the cockpit, watching the planet's light illuminate the ship through the forward windshield. "Seems like a good place to... set up a temporary camp," I thought, mentally checking the ship's systems and radar.
"Okay, Silica," I said aloud, smiling slightly, "this place doesn't seem like a trap... for now."
The feeling of relief was brief, because I knew there could always be surprises. But for the first time in a long time, the greenery, the water, and the relative tranquility of the planet made me feel... almost normal.
"Time to prepare for final landing and head out to explore... but carefully," I concluded as I slowly lowered the ship, feeling the planet Fagnar unfold beneath my feet.
"Wait... a gem that looks like me?" I said, raising an eyebrow in disbelief.
After realizing I'd been lost in my own thoughts, I understood that, well... there was a gem who did bear a certain resemblance to me.
"One gem," I murmured, as my radar and the ship's systems displayed the information. According to the ship, these lands had practically exhausted the lifespan of their Kindergartens. In other words, there were no more natural ways for new gems to remain on this planet. The only way for a gem to stay was if it became linked to something important, but frankly, that didn't seem relevant: there was too much moss, which was normal, since there were always remnants of natural life scattered across the planet, places where gems couldn't be created due to technical limitations.
I felt relieved and even happy about that. "Damn, I love this hand," I said as I checked the data on my robotic arm, admiring the efficiency of my own technology. This planet practically lacked the resources to create gems en masse; according to the statistics displayed on my hand, perhaps 500 gems at most could be formed. A minimal number compared to the Empire's production.
Silica leaned over the information projected on the ship, studying every detail with precision. The more she looked, the more she realized she needed to upgrade the scanning technology. This planet was beyond the Empire's controlled zone, so all the information she had about it was outdated. What she saw now was new, unknown terrain, with natural structures and remnants of ancient formations that the Empire had never recorded.
"Perfect... this means I can explore without worrying too much," I murmured with a sigh, though I knew I needed to prepare for any eventuality. If there was a gem like myself, I would have to study it carefully; I didn't know if it was hostile, neutral, or simply ignorant of its own nature.
I checked the radar and the organic life projection once more. "Nothing massive... for now," I said, letting out a soft sigh of relief. My systems showed that intelligent life was minimal and scattered, giving me room to move and explore without attracting the attention of external forces.
As I processed the data, I couldn't help but think about my own existence: how I ended up here, alone, with my ship, my bionic hands, and a radar that practically kept me alive in this void of space. "How damn ironic... a gem like me finding another one like me on a planet no one has set foot on for centuries," I said softly, a smile barely visible through the tears welling up from the mix of nostalgia and emotion.
I knew that if I wanted to meet that gem, I would have to prepare everything carefully: technology, scanning, safety distance... and above all, keep a cool head. This was uncharted territory, and any mistake could be fatal.
"Okay... Silica, take a breath and get ready," I told myself. "It's not time to lose control... yet."
End of Chapter 9.