Chapter 18: Chapter 18
After two days of steady space travel, the spacecraft finally descended through the atmosphere of Planet Sol. It landed on a launchpad in a bustling desert town, a sprawling settlement of industrial looking buildings that were less like a city and more like a massive, makeshift factory.
Coming down the ramp, Eric, Jimmy, and Yelena were met with the bright, unfiltered sun and the vibrant chaos of a busy market. The air buzzed with the sounds of countless beings and creatures of all kinds, moving about their business.
"Alright, here we are," Eric said, standing amid the ongoing crowd, his eyes scanning the view in front of him.
"Now what?" Jimmy asked, staying close to Eric, a little overwhelmed by the bustling crowd.
"We track down these High Monarch wankers, then we leg it before things go properly sideways," Eric replied, finally walking forward. Yelena and Jimmy tagged along quietly.
For the next five to seven minutes, Eric and Jimmy went from vendor to vendor, asking if anyone recognized the name High Monarch, but unfortunately for them, they had no luck, but just as they were about to give up, a stranger in a black cloak and hood approached Eric.
The figure leaned in close and whispered, "I know who you seek. Come with me." The man then walked past Eric and vanished into the crowd.
Eric was slightly stunned by the sudden interaction. He turned to face the man, but he was nowhere to be seen. Still, Eric was sure of the direction he went.
"Either we’ve just found ourselves an agent... or the poor sod’s about to wish he wasn’t," Eric said to Jimmy and Yelena, as he headed in the direction the man had disappeared. They followed him without a word.
They wove through different paths, turning down countless alleys as they followed the cloaked stranger. Finally, they arrived at a magnificent mansion, where the stranger was waiting for them at the gate.
"Here, you shall find your answers. Go in," the stranger said, gesturing toward the open gate. The trio walked through, their footsteps silent.
"Doesn’t seem like a place to keep the Nebulux Core," Jimmy whispered.
"Bloody thing powers a whole planet. Wouldn’t be surprised if they’re bowing to it too." Eric replied quietly as the three of them walked into the mansion.
They were greeted by a huge, beautifully decorated hall, with a massive statue standing in the middle.
"Mr. Eric Blackmoor, welcome," a man said, walking toward them with open arms.
"You know me?" Eric asked, surprised as they shook hands.
"Indeed. I also know you’ve traveled far and so you must rest. I’m Kaldala," the man replied, walking deeper into the mansion.
"We don’t have time to chat. Where’s the High Monarch?"
Yelena cut in immediately. She stood in front of them, stopping them completely, her character as cold as ever. With a swift movement, she extended a blade from her arm and held it to Kaldala’s neck.
"Ah, the High Monarch. I’m afraid he’s not here, but I can tell you what you need to know about him," Kaldala replied calmly, using a finger to gently move Yelena’s blade away from his neck.
"The constellation from the Cell Charger led us to this place, hoping we might find the ones who delivered it to someone we know," Jimmy said, his voice calm and controlled as he faced Kaldala.
"You are right, my friend. The ones you seek are indeed on this planet, but a city away from us, across the desert," Kaldala replied while having people bring in refreshments of all kinds. The bottles suddenly caught eric’s attention.
"Good. Then let’s go," Yelena said, turning around to leave the building.
Eric ran to stop her. "I get it, time’s not on our side but we’ve just crawled outta hell and back. We lay low, catch our breath, or we’re no good to anyone." he pleaded, trying to keep up with her fast, aggressive pace.
"The more we waste time, the more things get out of hand."
"Unlike you, I’m wearing half the desert and smelling like roadkill. One shower, that’s all I’m asking. They’re not exactly rolling out the red carpet, but they ain’t shooting either" Eric said, trying his best to convince her.
"Your smell is acceptable. The missing Nebulux is not," Yelena said coldly, her eyes and path focused on the exit.
"Unless we’re planning to survive on sheer bloody willpower, I suggest we eat. I’m this close to biting a rock." Eric said, his voice desperate.
"The human body can last a week without food. You’ll be fine," Yelena replied, heading non-stop for the exit.
"Yelena, love, just give it thirty bloody minutes. We rest, then we move. I swear on whatever’s left of my soul." Eric said, walking in front of her, completely blocking her path. Yelena stared coldly at him, her eyes filled with what looked like pure bloodlust.
Just then, a voice from deeper in the mansion broke the tension. "Oh, thank you! Hey, Eric, they have booze!" Jimmy yelled, already being kindly entertained by some people.
A cold, electric surge of excitement rushed through Eric’s body at the thought of booze. He desperately placed his hands on Yelena’s shoulders.
"Did you hear that, Yelena? Booze! Actual bloody booze! For the love of all things unholy, let me have this one moment, just one!" he begged, his voice almost in tears.
He felt a strange vibe from Yelena, a subtle threat that told him if he didn’t take his hands off her shoulders, he would be executed. He immediately removed them.
"Look, Yelena, just thirty minutes. That’s all we need. No more, no less." he said, sounding even more desperate.
Yelena stood in silence for a few moments, taking in the situation. To be honest with herself, she also felt a little hungry and in need of a shower.
"Thirty minutes. Nothing more, nothing less," she finally said, agreeing to his terms.
"Hell yeah! Now we’re talking!" Eric jumped in excitement before hurrying over to Jimmy, who was being served a tray of refreshments.
"oi! Don’t you bloody dare finish my booze, you twat!" Eric yelled, running straight to Jimmy and snatching a bottle from the tray, opening it without hesitation.
Jimmy gave a disgusted expression, stunned by Eric’s sudden reaction to the booze. Meanwhile, Yelena quietly and calmly watched Eric and Jimmy, a hint of curiosity on her face before she, too, walked toward them.