Tejeda saw that their ship had leveled out, no longer depending on artificial gravity to keep them anchored on the floor or its primary engines to propel them ahead. As they flew over Yacleemb, they passed above its humid tropical rainforest under a silvery sky. Finally, the stabilizing systems kicked in as the Space Spoon slowed down and targeted straight down on lush tall grass.Because of its axial tilt, Yacleemb, the third planet in the Orsa system, had long-lasting seasons. As it was early spring, a consistent warm temperature would aid with exterior repairs. A 56-hour day also meant more than 28 hours of sunlight.Stretching his limbs, Tejeda prepared for a nice, quiet stroll outside the ship. He had been on this planet before for quite some time. The only sentient life form on Yacleemb was the Spreah, a humanoid pre-space age race that was very shy and extremely stubborn, not capable of harming another being except with their words.Tejeda felt better wit

“I can’t help you hunt, but I can show you where the birds gather at night and some other spots you can trail some other animals,” Rylus said after their prayer ended. “But before that, I have another thing to show you, travelers.”Shayla's eyes widened as she stared at Tejeda. He shrugged and followed the Spreah. With a sigh, she tagged along.  From the dining cave, Rylus led them into another smaller one. It looked like a regular cavern until Tejeda observed its ceiling. A thick net held green foliage above their heads. Following the braided threads to the sidewalls, he spotted hooks pinning the contraption in place.Rylus halted close to a dangling braided rope. "A visitor arrived in our community a few years ago. We greeted him like we always do, and in exchange, he revealed a wonderful secret to us. He knew Tejeda Hajar and gave us the means to determine whether or not a traveler is the supreme being."His hand grasped the

C1313 proceeded directly to the ship's docking bay. She walked past multiple pocket doors, oblivious to how they slipped into the walls and back. Her auditory circuitry was faulty. All she could hear for several hours had been the voice of that admiral on the 777th floor. ‘This is a driving robot with no further features or uses. It would be completely worthless aboard a spacecraft.’The large cargo hold was brightly lit by the glowing sun’s rays coming through the opened bay doors. For the time being, this area had been repurposed for Hanga’s use as he repaired the ship. Blades, pinchers, wrenches, drills, screwdrivers, clippers, and saws hung on hooks around the walls. If the manner in which they were all oil-smudged and greasy was any indicator, they had all been well-used.Have you ever been afraid to go to the doctor? If you answered yes, you understand how C1313 felt. Engineers and technicians opened up and tore apart portions of the likes

“Jackeye! Jackeye! Wake up!”Steffen’s brain started to shut down as he looked for the voice in the dark. It was like a drop of water falling into a pond, impossible to define where the sound started and where it ended. His mind had a thousand tiny fissures, her voice a tiny stone that rolled into crevices unseen.When fingers brushed near his right ear, he let out a yell. He opened his eyes and raised his torso, struggling to get as much oxygen as he could. The air tasted stale and sour on his dried-out tongue.“Where am I?” he muttered with his hand on his neck.“According to E00, this planet’s atmosphere has high quantities of oxygen. He advised me to carry you outside of your quarters when I found you there unconscious.”Jackeye's wandering gaze found the leafy grass, and C1313 stood upright next to him. The aching in his skull wouldn't go away. It crept down his neck, through his shoulders, and i

“Behold!” Jackeye shouted, his hands outstretched toward the blue sky.They both materialized in the middle of the meadow, aka the starting point."Allow me to introduce you to the wondrous world of..." Out of the corner of his eye, Jackeye noticed movement. He turned just in time to see Tejeda walking away, his back to him. "Where are you going?"“The edge of the forest is like a canvas of colors, and I think I can see people.”Frustrated by the lack of consideration, Jackeye trailed behind Tejeda. "Of course, there’s the harvest festival that got ruined for the second time... No, I think it’s the... You know what? Forget it!""Hmm? What should I forget?" Tejeda asked with genuine confusion. Then he stopped his trek, staring at the stalls. "What’s wrong? From what I know, festivals mean hustle and bustle, but here nothing’s moving.""My abrupt departure from Jackeye's World caused a connection