Colossus By Choice: Book 1 Verse 26

3001 P.G.E. (Post-Godzilla Era)

[Universal Date: Day 120]
[Planet: Pyrestar]
[Capital: Silver Sun City]

[Location: Silver Sun City – northern port district]

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On a bumpy Aptonoth-driven cart ride through the northern port district of Silver Sun City, the unlikeliest band of adventurers is traveling to the off-world port to head to the Charybdis Centre of Species to give their testimonies to a gathering of representatives of all the sapient species in the universe that are part of the joint governance council; Taum and the others discuss their current objective as they ride through the district.

While they're conversing, the Draconi youngling notices that Cerato Falc is scribbling in her personal journal.


(Taum): Hey, Cerato, what do you have there?

(Cerato Falc): Oh, just my personal journal! I've been periodically documenting everything we've been learning throughout this journey we've embarked on! I'll just be tending to this latest entry for a bit until we get to the off-world port.

(Taum): Alright, I'll make sure the others don't bother you then.

(Cerato Falc): Thanks, Taum.


The Rapteaglet youngling returns to writing her thoughts in her journal; true to his word, Taum diverts any attention away from her.

He looks out over the side of the cart to take in the view of the northern port district. Unlike the eastern business and market districts, this part of the city is notably filled to the brim with space-faring ships leaving from and landing into the myriad of receiving docks. Where there would've been rows and rows of either small family-run shop stalls or large business buildings in the eastern districts, here there are huge open airfields with docking pads for ships of all kinds to touch down at or take off from. The only truly noteworthy buildings are peppered between the large airfields and mostly just act as additional service stations for the space faring vessels coming down from the heavens or ascending into them.

The variety of different space vessels is quite staggering, to say the least. Some are simple rowboats fitted with crude Meta Derivation Complex Engines that look more like scrap metal hastily bolted and welded together and barely struggling to hold back the sheer energetic instability of the large Elder Crystal held within. Others are huge battleships composed of solid Dragonwood and massive Monster bones with integrated Dragonators in the bows and MDC Engines held deep within their decks; said engines likely look more like massive furnace ovens if one were to take a peek inside.

It is one of these particularly large and powerful peacekeeping vessels that the unlikely group stop at, a destroyer by the name of the SSD Ignited Torch. It's a staggeringly large Dragonwood warship easily stretching over a hundred metres in length with a mighty Dragonator embedded within the bow for warding off super giant Monsters and ramming into enemy vessels, a large bone crest sitting just above said superweapon, cannons lining large portions of the main deck's railings and in ports in the sides, and a vast set of sails to ride the wind currents in the vacuum of space.

And it isn't even the largest or most advanced warship in port; that honour goes to the truly gargantuan full metal-hulled behemoths lying much further down the northern port district.

Everyone steps off of the cart to take in the view of their transport.


(Skrill): Damn.... is that really our ride?

(Cpt. Gairi): Sure is. This is some important news you'll be sharing with the rest of the universe, so I've made sure you're part of a heavily armed transport.

(Taum): Thanks for everything, captain.

(Cp. Gairi): It's no problem at all, youngling. It's been a pleasure working with you on this planet. May your journey across the stars be a safe one.


Both Draconi bring up their left forearms and bump them against each other before nodding to one another; the Defence Watch captain then turns around and takes off back to the eastern command centre alongside his fellow knights; Taum seems to be especially proud after performing this farewell gesture.


(Skrill): Don't get all "pride this" or "respect that" with me, youngling. I thought you were smarter than some old-fashioned Draconi honour traditions.

(Taum): Just let me have this, old man.

(Skrill): Whatever. Let's go!


The elderly and disgruntled Radent smuggler quickly picks up his belongings and scurries across the ramp leading up to the main deck of the SSD Ignited Torch. Meanwhile, the rest of the group grab their own bags and equipment from the cart; the driver whips her Aptonoth's reins and wheels off deeper into the rest of the northern port district.

While Taum, Yun-Tao, and Cerato Falc start walking to the ramp leading up to the SSD Ignited Torch's main deck, Tarbo Haw lingers behind a bit; her uncle's lagging catches Cerato's attention, prompting her to double back to check on him.


(Cerato Falc): What's wrong, uncle?

(Tarbo Haw): Someone needs to stay behind to weather the wrath of your father, little wind warrior.

(Cerato Falc): Uncle....

(Tarbo Haw): Go on, little wind warrior. Have the adventure of a lifetime.


The 2 Rapteaglets embrace one another tightly. As they do, the horns blow from the destroyer, signalling that it'll be leaving soon. This prompts Cerato to disengage the hug and rejoin her new friends on their quest; soon after the whole group gets onto the main deck, the ramp is pulled in. The feathered archaeologist waves his goodbyes to his niece as they part ways, to which she does the same; she quickly wipes away a couple of tears running down her black feathered cheeks.

Taum notices this and turns to her, leaning against the ship's railing a little.


(Taum): Something wrong, Cerato?

(Cerato Falc): Oh, it's nothing, Taum. It's just.... This is the first time I've ever actually left the planet.

(Taum): I admit, I'm a bit homesick myself. My sister and I used to try and sneak aboard some of these ships when our father brought us to the northern port district, just for fun. We actually managed to stow away one time.


Upon hearing this mention of such daring disregard for the rules from a Draconi, the youngling Rapteaglet looks on with a bit of shock.


(Taum): I know, I know, disrespecting duty and adherence to proper conduct even as a youngling isn't exactly normal. And while I ordinarily would agree it's unbecoming of me, my sister Sara always tried to get me to loosen up.


The mention of his sister brings down Taum's good mood a smidge, though he maintains his usual positive demeanour; Cerato Falc picks up on this and isn't fooled one bit.


(Cerato Falc): You haven't mentioned your sister in quite awhile since we started down this journey back at my family's farm. Maybe you should take her advice now and loosen up a bit on keeping your sorrow bottled up.

(Taum): Yeah..... yeah, okay.


The Draconi youngling turns to look down the side of the ship while he leans forward on the railing. As the SSD Ignited Torch begins to ascend from it docking platform into the sky via the rocket thrusters located along the bottom edges of its sides, Taum breathes in deeply and closes his eyes; he lets his emotions flow freely, though still somewhat restricted. Although he doesn't weep or bawl, small streams of tears come out from his closed eyes as he allows his grief and sadness over Sara's death freely come out; Cerato comforts him by putting her hand and head against his left shoulder.

For a few minutes, the 2 younglings stand there in silence, allowing their emotions to run free without any distractions or dialogue.

Skrill returns from checking out the bunker rooms and is about to scowl and mouth off something stereotypically as usual, but Yun-Tao stops him with an outstretched hand. The middle-aged Oxbul motions towards their 2 youngest group members having a moment of quiet reflection together. While the elderly Radent turns around to check out the rest of the ship, Yun-Tao continues to watch Taum and Cerato from afar with a slight smile across her face; she decides to join Skrill a few moments later.

After letting their emotions run freely, Taum and Cerato turn to face each other. The farmstead heir smiles a bit with her yellow beak and wipes the remaining tears off of her new friend's tan and brown-striped face; he similarly smiles.


(Taum): Thanks for being with me for this little moment of peace.

(Cerato Falc): No problem at all, Taum. I have a feeling we're going to be in this journey for the long haul, so we might as well try to work through any misgivings now while we can.

(Taum): Yeah.... yeah, that sounds good. Come on, let's go find Skrill and Yun-Tao.


Taum picks up his bag in his left arm and slings it over his shoulder. Before Cerato Falc can pick up hers, he scoops it up into his right arm; he smirks a little before walking off.


(Taum): I'll take that for you, m'lady.


Cerato rolls her eyes and chuckles a little; she runs after him.

As the 2 younglings walk across the main deck to catch up with their other companions, the ship ascends higher and higher into the sky at increasing speeds, breaching the clouds and flying up higher still. The ship continues to head up further and further, breaking free of Pyrestar's gravitational pull entirely soon enough.

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[Location: The Meta]

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The blue sky and atmosphere give way to the multicoloured embrace of the Meta, a vacuum of space running throughout the entire universe. The vast swirls and patterns of flowing energy waves and unstable particles of every colour imaginable float through the reaches of existence like currents in a massive ocean carrying vital nutrients to an underwater ecosystem.

The SSD Ignited Torch deactivates its bottom rocket boosters and retracts them; it then extends motorized propellers from its sides and back and starts to slowly move forward through the vacuum of the Meta.

Taum and Cerato Falc have finally caught up to Skrill and Yun-Tao at one of the entrances to the crew quarters.


(Skrill): Looks like you 2 finally decided to join the family.

(Yun-Tao): Don't be a salty old man, Skrill. Our room is right through here. You wanna go drop off your stuff now?

(Cerato Falc): In just a moment. This is my first time actually leaving the planet, so--

(Yun-Tao): Say no more. We should all take a moment to appreciate the marvel of traveling the stars.


The adventurers leave their bags at the door to head to the railing. They take in the incredible view of their escort riding the winds that push the energies of the Meta throughout the universal ecosystem; Cerato in particular is the most in awe at this site due to this being her first trip through the breathable vacuum of space.


(Ship Speakers): *COMMS* Attention all crew and passengers! MDC Engine is now in operation! There will be slight turbulence and rocking as the vessel rips through the Meta! That will be all.

(Taum): Well, you heard the announcement. Better grab that railing a little tighter than normal while we travel through the universe at breakneck speed.

(Cerato Falc): I definitely will.


The merry band of adventures follows Taum's advice and hold onto the ship railings tightly.

Without any advance warning, the SSD Ignited Torch suddenly accelerates so quickly that the Meta surrounding the ship blurs into a tunnel vortex of pure energy. The force of the MDC Engine tearing the Meta apart to propel the destroyer forwards throughout vast reaches of real-space rocks the group a bit, but they quickly adjust. After a few moments of adjusting to the ship's momentum, all 4 of them release their grip on the railing.


(Cerato Falc): That was a real rush!

(Taum): Luckily, it's smooth sailing from here. Shall we head in?

(Cerato Falc): Yes, let's.


The Draconi youngling is about to pick up his bag, but the sly Rapteaglet is too quick and grabs both his and her belongings. Taum can't help but smile as they all head into the ship's crew quarters together.