Red Nova
Chapter Nineteen

Fe’lora’s Florescence

The vel’pheasian mothership descended into Fe’lora’s atmosphere. Nesha walked outside to the upper balcony and stared at the ocean world, leaning on the railing. The mothership eventually reached the seemingly endless water forest. Polyp-like trees grew out of the ocean and were connected to one another like a web. Though most of the water trees were as blue as the sea, some of them had coral colors. Fe’lorians lay along the tube-shaped branches, bathing in the starlight that gave them energy. The water was also filled with flowers floating around the sea. Nesha stared at the sight in awe while a flock of seabirds fluttered by her.

Nesha remembered when she’d stood outside on her balcony in Corselos, staring at the stars. When she stargazed, she always felt homesick and would feel depressed, thinking of her mother. Nesha had always thought that somewhere out there in the universe was her true home. Now she stood before it. She knew within her heart that she was home. Nesha remembered how people claimed that the fe’lorians were not mystical, yet she couldn’t help but think that they were. Fe’lora was supposed to be like Earth, but she refused to believe that. Without a doubt, Fe’lora had a spirit of its own. And her mother, she believed, was never closer.

“It really is beautiful here,” said Nesha. Her eyes were teary as she thought of her best friends, Talia and Hannah. “I wish the two of you were here to see Fe’lora.”

Moment’s later, Keith came outside and noticed Nesha faintly sniffing by the rail of the deck. He walked over to her and wrapped his arm around her.

“Keith,” she said, gasping. “You startled me.”

“Sorry,” he said, gazing at the water forest. “I just had to share this beautiful view with a beautiful woman.”

“You always know how to make a girl smile.”

“Only you, babe,” he said.

“Thank you,” she said, smiling and wrapping her arms around him.

Keith stared at her for a moment and gave her a soft kiss. Together they gazed at the sparkling water forest. It seemed endless, and that was all right to them because they wanted nothing more than to hold each other throughout the entire voyage regardless of how long it would be.

In the meantime, Shiva walked through one of the damp corridors and entered the pilot chamber, where Zar’kara and McKenzie sat.

“Praetor,” began Shiva, “I have finally received a response. The fe’lorian council is shocked beyond belief by our diplomatic presence, but they peacefully welcome us to their aquarian city: Genidesis.”

Zar’kara turned around and patted Shiva’s shoulder. “It seems you get an even more impenetrable fleet than you desired,” he said.

“Indeed,” said Shiva.

Teri suddenly appeared on the vessel’s vidlink and said, “Zarry, guess what? Mal’s almost completely fixed. This big mama ship has been helpin’ me repair it quicker than I thought.”

“Sweet, I miss that ship,” said McKenzie.

“The Malvakarian is an extension of my carnage,” said Zar’kara. “Well done, Teri.” After seeing her smile, he turned his attention to McKenzie. “All right, kid. Show me what you’ve got. Activate the plasma matrix and submerge Galvorden into the ocean.”

“You got it,” said McKenzie.

A semitransparent force field enveloped the mothership while McKenzie submerged it deep into Fe’lora’s pelagic underworld. Nesha and Keith didn’t have to leave because the shield protected them. The duo felt as if they were having an out-of-body experience while viewing the inner sea.

The octocoral and star-shaped polyp swayed in the water forest that grew before Nesha and Keith. Countless sea pens and flowers floated around too. It was strange to them, traveling into the depths of an ocean without any scuba gear. The only other way to experience being in the deep sea this way was by means of Vortex; however, Nesha and Keith always preferred real life experiences rather than virtual reality.

“It’s gorgeous here,” she said.

“Yeah,” he said. “Just when I thought I’ve seen it all.”

Galvorden continued to submerge deeper into the colorful ocean forest, which started to glimmer with coral-colored shards embedded in the bark of each polyp-like tree. All of the trees glowed. The pinkish branches swayed around the pelagic zone while several fe’lorians swam by, toward a vessel-shaped city made of glass and sea rock.

“Look at that,” she said, pointing down.

“It’s a fe’lorian city,” he said.

“I can’t believe we’re actually going to a fe’lorian city,” she said.

“Not just any city, gal,” sputtered Teri, walking toward them. “It’s Genidesis, the capital and home of the fe’lorian council. Zarry got an audience wit the fishys!”

Genidesis, the aquarian capital of Fe’lora, was a shimmering city floating between coral mountains and purplish kelps. The city’s structure had a transparent alloy that mirrored glass, but it was vastly stronger and prevented its chambers and cylinder-formed tunnels from cracking due to pressure. Several fe’lorians swam past Galvorden like mermaids. Many of them had terracotta fleeces while a few others had complexions similar to Mother Fe’lora.

“They’re so beautiful and innocent looking,” said Nesha.

Teri chuckled. “That’s because they are innocent, and I know what yer thinkin’—how could someone be more innocent than moi? But yup, they’re even more innocent than little ol’ me.”

“That’s because they don’t have sexual desires,” said Keith.

“Really?” said Nesha with a foul expression. “Then it’s a good thing I have my human traits. How come they don’t have any sexual desires?”

Keith shrugged and replied, “Probably because they don’t have hormones. It’s strange though because they’re ethical when it comes to life. But I guess they’re still capable of those emotions since they give birth, just without sex.”

“You got it, sugar daddy!”

Nesha laughed and said, “Sugar daddy?”

“She’s been calling me that ever since I met her,” said Keith, rolling his eyes.

“I’m just teasin’ ya,” said Teri, giggling. “Oh, I almost forgot! Shiva wants ta know if we could meet her in the pilot chamber.”

“Okay,” said Keith. “Let’s go replace out what plan she has.”

“Lead the way,” said Nesha, smiling.

The trio entered the mothership and traveled through a few corridors that were as damp and gooey as Yak-Shur’s abyssal mouth. They eventually reached the pilot chamber and joined the others.

“Thanks for coming, everyone,” said Shiva. “Praetor Zar’kara has truly helped us because the Vel’pheasian Empire is at our disposal. However, it wouldn’t hurt to have the fe’lorians on our side too. And I think it’s best for Nesha to be here since this is her other homeworld. Nesha, I don’t know if being here will help you tap into your hybrid powers. Though, I am sure you’ll at least replace some peace here before we return to Earth.”

“I thought we were going after Vreffith,” said McKenzie. “Why Earth?”

“I’ve finally decrypted all the files that Admiral Bisel had given me, which show Vignia Corporation’s connection to the Black Moon syndicate. This means we can take this evidence to the UEC headquarters and have them on our side. We’ll no longer need to worry about Detective Renfred.”

“Great,” said Keith, leaning against the wall. “So, what’s the big secret?”

“I’ll give a full debriefing of Liagon’s weapon after we speak with the fe’lorian council,” replied Shiva. “There are many important details, and I don’t want to keep the fe’lorians waiting. Let’s rendezvous back here tomorrow morning. For now, all of you are free to explore Genidesis. There is also an IGF colony connected to the upper city’s surface if you’d like to relax in a more familiar setting.” She looked at the window, noticing that they were about to enter the docking bay. “All right, let’s get ready to disembark.”

McKenzie finished linking the vessel to Genidesis’ docking platform. The crew then entered the underwater city.

“I’m so excited to be here,” said Nesha.

“Yup, me too,” said Teri. “Race ya to the door!”

Nesha sprinted with Teri, giggling while running across the docking platform all the way over to the chamber’s hatchway. McKenzie laughed while he watched them.

“Hey, wait up,” said Keith, trying to catch up.

McKenzie smiled and said, “It’s good to see them happy and carefree for once.” That instant, Zar’kara stepped aside, glaring at him with a menacing expression. McKenzie felt his spine shiver. “Um, right, Zar?” he added nervously.

“Race you too!” said Zar’kara.

He unexpectedly pounced and thumped his way forward on four limbs with incredible speed. For the first time, Shiva actually laughed and patted McKenzie on the shoulder.

“Did you just hear and see what Zar did?” said McKenzie. He turned to look at Shiva, but she was gone. “Guh! She disappeared.”

In a split second, Shiva zoomed by and was already waiting by the hatchway, observing their little race. Teri skipped up the ramp just as Zar’kara leapt onto it.

“Hey, no fair,” said Teri.

Zar’kara sniffed the air. “I smell a cheater,” he said gruffly.

“Actually, I smell victory,” said Shiva, opening the hatch. “Nesha, Praetor Zar’kara and I are planning to speak with the fe’lorian council. Would you like to join us?”

“Of course,” said Nesha. “I’d be honored.”

“I go wherever Zarry goes,” said Teri. “So I’m comin’ too.”

“Excellent,” said Shiva. “Then I suppose Keith and Bryan can rest, which they seem to need after our race.”

Keith and McKenzie were bent down, huffing and puffing.

“There’s an EP here that can port you to the IGF colony above,” continued Shiva. “I’ll send the coordinates to your UNDs and—”

“Holy macaroni,” said Teri. “She finally said it.”

Keith wheezed while asking, “Said what?”

“She said UND,” said Teri. “Yay!”

“Yes, I suppose I did,” said Shiva. “Splendid, I am becoming more human by the day.” She tilted over to Zar’kara and whispered, “I am not one hundred percent sure if that’s a good or bad thing.”

Zar’kara cackled.

“Well,” continued Shiva, “we’d better not keep the council waiting. Remember, we will be meeting back here tomorrow morning.”

Keith abruptly grabbed Nesha and kissed her as if it were the last moment he had with her. The others whistled and howled.

“Hubba-hubba!” said Teri. “Can I have a little smoochie-woochie too?”

Nesha blushed. “See you soon,” she said.

“See you soon, babe,” replied Keith. They waved at each other while parting. Just before Nesha left, however, he added, “And hey...good luck.”

Nesha waved again and then followed Shiva. When the others left, Keith looked at his UND and gestured McKenzie to follow him. They walked straight ahead, through a tube-like corridor that showed them a view of Fe’lora’s calm mesopelagic zone. Then, at the end of the long passageway, they entered an IGF elevator portal.

“Looks like Nesha has the hots for you,” said McKenzie. “Way to go.”

“What can I say, I’m a smooth guy,” said Keith, grinning. “Truthfully, I fell for her the moment we met in Nirvana.”

McKenzie smiled with a nod as they both stood inside the EP while glancing at its view, watching some of the fe’lorians swim through Fe’lora’s glimmering sea forest.

“Man, I can hardly believe all the crazy things that have happened to us this past month,” said McKenzie. He clicked the S button while the EP sealed itself, porting them from the ocean city’s depths all the way up to Fe’lora’s surface.

“I think what’s insane is that I’ve been starting to get used to it,” said Keith.

“I know what you mean,” said McKenzie, sighing. “But I think things are finally looking better for us. Zar’kara is now praetor, we have the vel empire on our side, and the fe’lorians are helping us too. Vreffith’s going to regret everything he’s done.”

“Let’s just hope the UEC doesn’t turn against us and refuse our evidence,” replied Keith grouchily. “They always have a habit of being in denial. Vindor is proof enough.”

“Think positive,” said McKenzie.

“Yeah, I suppose you’re right,” said Keith.

Just then, the EP’s door unsealed. They were outside, near a mountainous shore where the IGF colony was located. The water forest branched out from the vast ocean, enveloping the buildings as if it were a form of decoration.

“This colony must be the largest waterfront in the universe,” said Keith.

“Big time,” replied McKenzie. “It’s like a paradise.” He looked around and asked, “So, where should we go first?”

“I don’t know,” said Keith, looking around too. “I’m kind of in the mood for a drink. It would be nice if they have a joint somewhere around here. I wouldn’t mind something like the one on Brimidia.”

“Oh, the Argana Lounge in Nas Vando?” said McKenzie. “You were there? I heard that place rocks.”

“Yeah, we didn’t even need passes,” said Keith. “I was there with Jolus when the admiral set up a meeting there with his commanding officers: Mar’kett, Saven, and Naiman.” He sighed and went on, “It seems almost like a lifetime ago.”

“You’re right,” said McKenzie, following him. “I was still a nobody on the commander’s ship. It technically belonged to a captain, but for some reason Admiral Bisel reassigned him to a different ship and wanted Commander Mar’kett to take charge of it when he formed the Tenth Fleet. He definitely made a great choice.”

“That he did,” said Keith. “I was still wondering why we were going to the Gamut, but once I was in the Argana Lounge that all kind of went away, at least for a little while. Come on, let’s try to replace a club.”

They noticed several waterfalls around the IGF settlement of Genidesis. Though most of the buildings appeared to be residential, Keith and McKenzie occasionally saw others like a spaceport for tourists. Not a minute later, they discovered a hovering monorail station, a lodge named Blossom, and a school called University of Serenity, which was a few blocks away from Fe’lora’s florescent lodge.

“This place is a city within a jungle,” said McKenzie.

Keith agreed and replied, “Though, from the looks of it, there’s no club.”

“Check that out,” said McKenzie, pointing to the left.

They saw a large crowd by the valley’s shore, near the end of the eastern side of the IGF colony where a darkish green building stood. Keith and McKenzie approached it from the back. At first they couldn’t tell whether it was a club. Upon joining the crowd, they spotted a bouncer and noticed the building’s name: Underwater.

“Now that’s a catchy name,” said Keith.

“Girls, here I come,” said McKenzie.

Keith stopped him and said, “Bouncer first.”

“Oh, damn,” said McKenzie.

They showed the vel’pheasian bouncer their diplomacy identification. He bowed before the UEC soldiers and allowed them to enter without waiting.

“And that’s how it’s done,” said Keith.

A spiral staircase lay inside, leading the duo down to a club playing a blend of pop and trance music as several races danced together: humans, fe’lorians, and calisians. Vel’pheasians were there too; however, they were never seen dancing unless it included shooting someone.

“Thank goodness,” said McKenzie. “Have fun, man.”

He rushed over to the dance floor while Keith observed the place. He walked over to the corner and sat by the bar. As usual, it was run by a fe’lorian.

“What can I get for you?” asked the barmaid.

“I’m feeling tropical here,” said Keith. “I’ll have a piña colada.”

She nodded and started to prepare his drink. Keith, meanwhile, turned and watched the patrons dance. It was a prismatic lounge decorated with plant life, black seashell tables, and a few acrylic water-based tanks shaped like columns. The transparent walls showed a stunning view of Fe’lora’s deep ocean. And in the center of the lounge was where the patrons danced wildly.

The fe’lorian barmaid eventually served Keith his drink. He took it and then spotted McKenzie flirting with a blonde woman, at which point he reminisced about his time in the eccentric club Twilight; he had been the one dancing and flirting while Jolus preferred to stay away from the crowd and relax.

“Here’s to you, Jolus,” muttered Keith to himself, raising his glass and drinking his piña colada.

“Hey, sexy,” said a calisian prostitute. “Wanna have some fun downstairs?”

Keith gawked at her and noticed that she was even more beautiful than the calisian whom he wanted to have sex with back in the Argana Lounge. She had red-curled hair, orange-colored eyes, and an extremely perky chest. Her nipples were slightly visible. They were so pointy that they outlined her blouse. He couldn’t help but stare at her body. After all this time, he was finally off duty and had a chance to sleep with an exotic woman. He felt aroused just looking at her. Sex was his addiction. Yet something within his mind made him lose excitement. For some reason, the fantasy of sleeping with her made him feel empty. The only other time he’d felt more empty and dead was on Vindor. This sudden feeling tore through him like a knife. He no longer wanted to feel deadened. He wanted to feel alive; he wanted to be with a gorgeous woman who gave him meaning. Keith finished his drink and smiled at her.

“No thanks,” he said.

“Your loss,” she said, walking away.

Sitting down, Keith tried to forget about everything that had happened while listening to the trance-pop music. Yet all he could think about was Nesha. He suddenly had a longing to hold her.

“Are you okay?” asked the barmaid.

“You know what I’ve just realized?” said Keith. “I’ve realized that these kinds of places will either make you forget everything or help you wake up and realize who’s most precious to you.”

“Interesting for a human to say,” said the fe’lorian.

Keith laughed. “Yeah, that’s what love does to us humans.” He waved his UND by the bar counter’s panel to pay for his cocktail and then added, “Well, thanks for the drink. See you around the universe.”

In the meantime, the council of eighteen fe’lorians sat in their meeting chamber that had a ground made of sea rock. The chamber’s walls were transparent, showing the fe’lorian council a view of their precious ocean. They could see coral reefs, kelps, and many of their fellow sisters swimming by. Some of the fe’lorians in the water were sleeping. Eventually, one of the sentinels guarding the chamber approached the council.

“Praetor Zar’kara and his human companions have arrived,” said the sentinel.

“Thank you,” said Jalamelda, one of the fe’lorian council members who sat in the middle of the room, bearing a teal complexion. “We promised to speak with Praetor Zar’kara. You may bring them in.”

“And do remind them that weapons are not allowed,” said Kana’dalseis, another member of the council.

“I will remind them,” replied the sentinel, bowing. She left the chamber and walked over to Nesha and her friends who were waiting in a nearby antechamber. “Our beloved council will see you now. Please make sure that you turn off your UNDs. No weapons are allowed.”

Zar’kara growled but complied. Nesha, Shiva, and Teri also obeyed the sentinel, turning off their UNDs.

“Thank you,” said the sentinel. “This way.”

Nesha felt a bit nervous while she approached the council chamber. Upon entering and looking at them, however, a serene feeling came over her.

“Zar’kara,” said Jalamelda, smiling. “It is so good to see you again, and praetor no less. Tell me, what has occurred in your world to bring you back and become the Paragon you were always meant to be?”

Zar’kara pounded his chest and raised his snout high as he replied, “It is good to see you as well, Jalamelda. In my time of exile I have learned much from these humans. And, to make a long story short, I had unfinished business with that vermin who shamed Yak-Shur of its honor and glory.”

“I see,” said Jalamelda, intrigued. “It is welcoming knowledge that you and your people have brought justice upon Meftha; however, what we are truly astonished about is this allegiance you mentioned on your vidlink.”

“I replace this proposal rather hard to believe,” said Kana’dalseis. “The Vel’pheasian Empire has spent decades holding us back from exploring space. What could possibly be so pressing that the praetor of the vels is willing to bloom our existence, as well as the IGF?”

“I am familiar with all but this one who speaks,” said Zar’kara.

“This is Kana’dalseis,” said Jalamelda. “She is our newest sister on the council.”

Zar’kara bowed and replied, “It is an honor to meet you, Kana’dalseis. I cannot speak for my dead brother. I can only speak for my own actions as praetor. It has come to the attention of these humans that an abomination threatens all of us. In my language, such an enemy is known as Ahgraka.” He glanced at Shiva and backed down as he added, “Perhaps she can speak of the Ahgraka’s intent.”

“Greetings,” said Shiva. “I am…I am Shiva. Decades ago, several scientists in the UEC studied fe’lorian G-DNA. This was far before Praetor Hezekoth invaded the territories of IGF colonies. Originally, it was to help human cellular growth and allow the possibility of expanding human life expectancy. But then they started to have ideas about a hybrid. They wondered if it was possible for a male fe’lorian to exist—one who is human and fe’lorian with qualities of both combined.”

“That’s impossible,” said Yal’tora, another councilor.

Many of the councilors grumbled and whispered among one another, with the exception of Jalamelda who tried to get their attention.

“Please,” she said calmly, “let us listen to this human.”

“The truth, venerable Jalamelda, is that I am not human,” said Shiva. “Though I’m using an android’s body, I am actually an artificial intelligence. Admiral Niralus Bisel of the UEC’s Tenth Fleet had released me of my modus operandi as his final attempt to destroy Vreffith Larser—also known as Liagon—who is one of two successful human and fe’lorian hybrids.”

“Wait,” replied Kana’dalseis, holding out her hand. “I believe there are UEC and IGF laws against an unregulated AI.”

“Indeed,” said Shiva. “Admiral Bisel, however, felt that he could only trust the actions of an AI with his mission to terminate Liagon.”

Yal’tora replied, “Please forgive me if I seem rather tense, but for all we know you could simply be pretending to be an AI. What if you’re actually an earthling trying to fool us? There’s an armada of vel ships orbiting our planet. If we let our guard down and bring our ships above the sea, Zar’kara’s fleet can easily wipe us out from existence.”

“Praetor Zar’kara would never do that, Yal’tora,” said Jalamelda.

The fe’lorian council members started to bicker among themselves. Nesha felt startled. She didn’t expect such peaceful-looking beings to be arguing this way. Half of them seemed to be supporting Jalamelda while the other half of the council agreed with Yal’tora’s suspicion, especially Kana’dalseis.

“I can prove it,” responded Shiva, raising her voice. “Nesha, I am sorry you have to see this. But it must be done.”

“I don’t understand,” said Nesha.

“You shall see,” said Shiva. She removed her military armor and unbuttoned the top of her uniform, showing a hairy chest that had been slit by a claw. Then she removed her mask. Nesha gasped when Shiva took it off, seeing her father’s face. Yet the face was slashed with wires fizzing from underneath the flesh. That instant, Shiva switched her voice to Niralus’ and continued, “I used Admiral Niralus Bisel’s molecular structure to generate a form of him over this mechanical shell.”

“But why would you pretend to be my father?” asked Nesha.

“Because I still wanted Liagon to believe that he had failed to kill him,” said Shiva. “In addition, when coming across other UEC soldiers, it was my intention to fool them into thinking I was him. Unfortunately, they were still able to figure that out and then imprisoned us. But we nevertheless escaped, thanks to Keith’s assistance. I am standing here now, venerable council, seeking an allegiance. I’m standing here, honoring Admiral Bisel’s final wish to put an end to Liagon’s scheme, which is to destroy all of us.”

“How can he possibly do that alone?” asked U’helilis, another council member.

Shiva answered, “He’s actually the leader of the Black Moon syndicate and has used the money from Vignia Corporation to build a weapon—a vessel—so powerful and destructive that it is able to vaporize a star. He is currently planning an attack, beginning with Earth.” Shiva put her samurai mask on and switched back to her original voice. “If he is not stopped, your star system will be next.”

Many of the council gasped in horror.

“Will you join us?” asked Zar’kara, forming his claws into fists.

Jalamelda looked at her fellow sisters as they grew silent. Nesha felt something tingle on her neck, almost as though she could hear whispers from behind her. She then thought, Are they speaking through their shared consciousness? Nesha looked up and noticed all of them staring directly at her.

“Shiva, you mentioned that there were two,” continued Jalamelda. “Now I truly believe you. Nesha Bisel, daughter of Niralus Bisel, please step forward and let me see you. My eyes have grown old, and I want to look upon my brave half-sister who Mother has told me of in my dreams.”

Nesha stepped forward in disbelief. “You’ve known about me and Liagon?” she asked.

“Only within our dreams,” said Jalamelda. “But we had to be sure that these were not simply dreams. When you spoke through your mind, wondering about our decision, we knew you were the one. And though our flotilla may be able to hold back his armada, you are the only one who can truly put an end to him.” She gently touched Nesha’s face, closing her eyes, and added, “Praetor Zar’kara, you have our undivided attention. We shall join your alliance.”

Zar’kara bowed.

“Woo-hoo!” cheered Teri.

“My people will begin making preparations as soon as possible,” said Jalamelda. “I am certain we’ll be ready no later than by tomorrow.”

“Excellent,” said Shiva. “Then tomorrow we shall use the Casimir and travel to Earth. I’ll have to present my evidence to the UEC.”

“Thank you for calming my mind,” said Nesha to Jalamelda, backing away with a serene countenance. “I feel as though you’ve made something illuminate within my soul. It’s real, isn’t it? Fe’lorian energy is truly a part of me.”

“We are very proud of your strong mind, Nesha,” said Jalamelda, nodding. “Rest well in Fe’lora’s florescence and feel free to explore our city at your own leisure. Tomorrow we shall face Liagon together.”

Nesha bowed before them. “Thank you so much.” She bowed again and then turned to Shiva, hugging her. “I understand why you kept this a secret, and I’m sure my dad would have been more than happy if he could see what you’re doing for us. Thank you for helping my father, Shiva. Thank you for helping all of us.”

“Yar,” said Teri. “Tanks, sparky!”

Shiva, as usual, couldn’t show any facial expressions with her mask on, yet she somehow looked as though she were happy and touched by Nesha’s words.

“The mission always comes first, my friend,” replied Shiva. “Now, our noble Praetor and I are going to stay here for a while to discuss a strategy with the fe’lorians. In the meantime, why don’t you get some rest? Revitalizing for tomorrow would be wise. To face Liagon and destroy him shall be our greatest challenge yet.”

Nesha agreed and hugged her one more time.

Several hours passed. Nesha had taken Shiva’s advice and decided to rest inside her ocean-view room at Blossom. Her hotel room was decorated with many flowers and plants. Miniature waterfalls trickled down the walls of her room, which were an illusion created by Vortex’s luxury simulation. Nesha looked at the balcony’s view, watching all the waves flow while a monorail swiftly flew by.

The monorail reminded her of the Doridian Sky Verse in Fen Treydis and how she was supposed to have the greatest time of her life with Talia and Hannah. She had wanted to travel around the galaxy with them. Nesha could no longer bear to think of what had happened to her friends. Depressed, she turned away from the window and approached her bed. When she walked away, the balcony morphed into the scenery of a jungle, produced by Vortex’s virtual reality program. Nesha lay on her bed, staring at the ceiling’s artificial ferns.

“I don’t really feel tired, but I suppose a nap would be good for me,” she said, closing her eyes and trying to fall sleep. That instant, someone knocked on her door. Nesha flinched and got up. “Who is it?”

“It’s the smoothest guy you’ve ever known,” said Keith.

Playfully rolling her eyes, she opened the door for him. He was clean shaven and dressed in black sportswear, holding his rift board.

“Hey, babe,” he said. “Wanna rift? The wind tide is pretty sweet here.”

“I’d love to,” she replied optimistically. Clicking her UND a few times, her clothes changed into navy-blue sportswear. Then an R91 materialized in her hands. She smiled at him and said, “Let’s go.”

They used an EP, teleporting down to the lobby. Afterwards, they exited the hotel and started rifting together.

Fe’lora’s ocean world glimmered with Zortega’s shimmering stars while myriad flowers bloomed along the florescent waterfront. The monorail motioned eastward as the duo rifted past it, traveling west. Together they rifted between numerous skyscrapers enveloped by Fe’lora’s gargantuan water forest. The trees seemed endless, extending out of the ocean and around the entire colony.

“This is amazing,” she said, maneuvering into a fade. “I could rift here forever.”

“Yeah,” he replied, performing a cutback through a web of trees. “The wind tide’s awesome.”

The duo traveled away from the IGF colony, deep into the tropical water forest engulfed in a light mist. Nesha followed Keith while he rifted over a florescent reef. They heard sounds of trickling water, rifting high above waterfalls.

Both of them embraced the wind tide, gliding with it as though they were the wind itself. Nesha and Keith rifted side by side while swooping and looping in windwheels and cutbacks as they hovered through the water forest. They thought to themselves, Fe’lora’s oceanic wilderness was like a natural rift track formed by the universe. To the two of them, it seemed as if the ocean world had a deep love for rifters because they felt there was nothing more liberating than rifting in Fe’lora.

“I always wanted to travel here,” she said.

Keith nodded and replied, “Yeah, this planet is something else.”

“I heard Fe’lora was a peaceful planet,” she said. “But I honestly never imagined it was this pretty. No insects, no dangerous animals—” She sighed with relief and continued, “This is truly my dream world.”

The path they followed eventually led them to a colorful island with a vibrant and fertile grove, which had a waterfall. Nesha slowed down, descending into the bluish wilderness. Keith performed a high fade while curving into a cutback somersault but fell into the waterfall’s plunge pool. Nesha couldn’t help but chuckle at him as he spewed out water.

“Damn, I can never do a somersault,” he said.

“Watch this,” she said.

Nesha rifted back into the air and used the wind tide to cast herself upward while curving her rift board vertically until she hovered above Keith. She performed a crescent swipe and then flew down in an angled windwheel. Not a second later, she rifted near the waterfall, maneuvering into an upper fade. Keith clapped, watching Nesha perform a cutback somersault after her swift fade.

Upon performing her fancy rifting maneuver, she looped in midair and ascended higher and higher until she created a wind tide strong enough for a double windwheel. When she tried performing it, she slipped and fell off her board. She shrieked and plunged into the pond. Keith swam over to her in a rush.

“Hey, are you okay?” he asked. Nesha came out from the water and splashed him while giggling. “Let me guess, you did that on purpose?”

“I scared you, didn’t I?”

Keith abruptly grabbed her waist and started kissing her underneath the waterfall. Nesha placed her hands on his chest and kissed him back passionately. They kept kissing, holding each other as the waterfall poured over them in a slight arc. Neither of them wanted to stop, especially Keith, but he eventually leaned up and stared deeply into Nesha’s eyes, placing his hands on her soft face.

“I love you,” he said.

“Really?” she said. “You’re not just saying that to sweet-talk me?”

Keith nodded understandingly and replied, “What happened in Vindor was something I’ll never forget. It was a painful and frightening experience. I had lost all my family. It left me with a scar so deep that it made me question my faith in God. But to be honest, this has been infinitely more frightening. Worst of all, Jolus died. Though, because you’re with me, I’m not my usual miserable self, wanting to escape. Nor am I afraid of the future. Nesha, as long as you’re by my side I feel that I’ll always have the strength to keep going—to face Liagon and anyone else who tries to get in our way.”

Nesha’s eyes were teary while she listened to him.

“And because I feel this way,” he continued, “it’s proof enough to me that I truly love you.”

“I love you too,” she said, holding Keith tight. “I was never more scared in my life when Liagon’s AI tried to kill me. Tali and Hannah are dead because of me. Others were killed too. On Sepas IX, I was even more terrified. And when Rena died I felt there was no one left to trust. I thought you were gone too, but you saved me. My father never liked Rick. I was with him for two years and yet none of that compares to what you and I have faced together. It makes me feel as if I’ve known you all my life.”

“Because we can trust each other?”

“Yes,” she said, kissing him. “I love you, Keith.”

“And I love you,” he said.

They kept kissing, slowly unzipping each other’s sportswear. Within seconds they were naked, hiding behind the waterfall while kissing passionately. In one blissful moment, they let go of their fears and sadness. They embraced each other completely as Fe’lora’s binary stars began to set in the far distance.

Nesha closed her eyes and sank deep into a pleasure she never felt before in her entire life. She thought to herself, I don’t know if you’ll always be with me, but for now I can trust you. I hope you’ll always be with me, habibi. Nesha let go of her thoughts as she gave her virginity to him.

Keith had experienced the pleasure of sex countless times before, yet he felt that those experiences were nothing compared to this moment. He realized that every experience he’d had before was meaningless. Only with Nesha did he feel alive. Being with her gave him the pleasure sex offered as well as a feeling of meaning. He thought, Yes, she is the one I love.

Together, in the darkening water world, they discovered the true meaning of bliss: an embracing rapture so real and heavenly that no variety of technology, feeling, notion, or belief in the universe could ever emulate.

A few hours passed. Nesha was cuddling with Keith by the pond. It was a quiet night on planet Fe’lora. No insects or animals lived on the island. They were the only ones there. Nesha stargazed, holding Keith who was sleeping. As the waterfall trickled, she spotted a moonbow gleaming above it. Nesha continued to gaze at the dark indigo sky while listening to the tranquil waterfall and flowing creek. She never wanted to leave the grove.

Nesha muttered to herself, “I wish this moment could last forever.” Not a minute later, she heard the sound of something vibrating. At first she thought it was a heavy breeze, but as it persisted she listened more carefully. “I wonder what that is,” she whispered, still holding Keith. The vibrating sound did not stop, and it was starting to make her more curious. She then realized that it was coming from Keith’s UND. “Honey,” she said, gently nudging him.

“Mmhmm?” he uttered.

“Honey, wake up,” she said. “I think someone’s trying to reach you on your UND.” She stood up and put her clothes on while she added, “I’ll check it.”

Keith yawned and asked, “Who is it, babe?”

“It’s Shiva,” she said.

“Shiva?” he said, surprised. “I wonder what she wants.” Nesha gave the UND to him as he sat up, establishing Shiva’s vidlink request. “Yeah?”

“Keith, thank goodness you answered,” said Shiva. “The fe’lorian council received a distress signal from Earth six minutes ago. It’s utter chaos. President Weldner told them that Liagon attacked and has a starship unlike anything in our database. It must be the Apeiron. We need to leave now.”

“Unbelievable,” grumbled Keith. “Okay, we’re on our way.”

“Wait,” said Shiva. “Is Nesha with you?”

“Yeah, she’s right here,” he said. “Don’t worry, we’ll be there in a few minutes.” Upon ending the vidlink with Shiva, he ported out his black military armor suit. “That son of a bitch seems to always be two steps ahead of us.”

Nesha nodded, porting her coral-colored military armor. “Let’s hurry and rift back to the colony,” she said. “I’m not going to let Liagon do more damage than he’s already done.”

“I’m right behind you,” he said.

Keith and Nesha ported their rift boards and glided back to the IGF colony. It was dark, but they were still able to see where they were going. When the duo approached the IGF colony, Genidesis emerged from the depths of its deep ocean. The vel’pheasian mothership ascended too. Rifting on their R91s, they noticed Genidesis rising skyward.

“Whoa,” she said.

“Yeah, I had no idea it could do that,” he said.

The water city started to separate into eighteen different starships. Each of the fe’lorian council members from Genidesis took control of a vessel. Within seconds, all eighteen starships were in the sky, flying beside the vel’pheasian mothership.

“And look over there!” she said, pointing below the ships.

Underneath the vel’pheasian mothership was the Malvakarian, slowly flying away from the mothership. Keith and Nesha sped toward the Malvakarian as its shuttle bay opened.

“It’s good to be back on this ship,” he said, entering the vessel.

“Hey, guys,” said McKenzie, getting out of Xelvakron’s cockpit. “It looks like we’re in for another heavy battle.”

“Liagon’s last,” said Nesha resolutely.

Keith shook McKenzie’s hand. “This is it, man. We have to give it our best no matter the cost. Is Shiva here?”

“Yeah,” replied McKenzie. “She’s waiting for us on the observation deck. She’s planning to give us a quick debriefing.”

The trio went up the ramp and used an EP, which ported them into the observation deck. Teri and Zar’kara were already there. Shiva stood by the windowpane, gazing at the assembling fleet.

“Excellent, you’re all here,” said Shiva.

McKenzie looked around for a moment, concerned. “Wait a second. If we’re all here, then who’s flying the ship to the Casimir station?”

“Looks like someone forgot all about Rrahza!” snapped Zar’kara.

“Oh snap,” said McKenzie. “Sorry about that.”

“If I was human you probably would’ve hurt my feelings,” said Rrahza, speaking through the intercom.

McKenzie laughed softly. “Well, at least he can hear us,” he said.

“Okay, sparky,” said Teri. “What’s the plan?”

Shiva logged on to the GT and hacked into Vignia Corporation’s database, transferring Vreffith’s decrypted files to the Malvakarian’s mainframe. Upon completing, the deck’s central screen activated a virtual interface. It displayed blueprints of an immense starship.

“What the hell is that?” asked Keith.

“This is Liagon’s weapon,” said Shiva. “It is a dreadnaught known as Apeiron. I am not aware of any weak points yet. This cannon you see seems to have fe’lorian cryogenic-based technology combined with fusion and thermal radiation. I am assuming the Ouroboros generates a form of thermal energy and transmits it to the fusion cannon. Furthermore, it is a prototype vessel that apparently has fe’lorian cryobiology. At least that’s what these files say. So, when we arrive, the flotilla will focus on the Black Moon armada while we attempt to infiltrate the vessel and disable its weaponry.”

“What about Liagon?” inquired Nesha. “He’s not going to just stand around and let us disable his ship.”

“Point taken,” responded Shiva. “We shall split into two groups. I will try to disable the cannon while the rest of you focus on any guards in the vessel. If I am able to hinder or destroy the vessel’s weaponry, we’ll regroup. But if Liagon realizes that we are on board his vessel and tries to retaliate, then you must replace a way to dispose of him.”

“Sounds like a plan,” said McKenzie.

Zar’kara sniffed McKenzie’s neck. “Much of your fear is gone,” he said. “Good.”

“Yeap, no more fear,” said McKenzie. “Except when you sniff me down like I’m your dinner.”

They laughed as Zar’kara patted McKenzie on the shoulder. The Malvakarian flew out of Fe’lora and joined up with the vel’pheasian armada and fe’lorian flotilla, making their way to the orbiting Casimir space station. Nesha walked over to the windowpane in the observation deck and looked out in awe, seeing the vel’pheasian and fe’lorian starships gathered together for the first time in history.

Nesha started thinking about everything that had happened since the rifting tournament. She remembered how bitter she’d felt toward her father and how much she resented the UEC. Nesha felt it was ironic because now she loved her father unconditionally and was proud to represent the UEC after everything she had gone through. She continued to gaze at the unifying sight and thought, Dad, can you see this? I’m sure you can.

The final showdown was approaching. It was a showdown between the syndicate and the alliance—a showdown between Liagon and Nesha Bisel. Everyone was gathered together. Even the stars became their allies, sparkling between the colossal starships that were ready for battle. This was the Tenth Fleet’s greatest moment.