Chapter 12 Ark Outpost 2 (1/2)
”Urgh...” John groaned in pain. He was sprawled in the cold, gray platform of the Ancient Gateway, but he was already at the other side.
”Connor...” Lenny weakly called for John. He tried to get up, but he was too dizzy to do so.
”I'm here...” John replied.
”Damn... I always hated teleports...” Lenny muttered while helping John stand up. When looked at John's face he saw that John was staring straight ahead, his eyes, wide open. Lenny looked as well and gasped in shock.
”What... Is... That?”
In front of them was an extremely giant metal building. It glowed with a darkish blue light. The entire building was covered with neon signs of various shops and advertisements for numerous products.
From the Gateway, John and Lenny were able to see that in the crowd of people entering and exiting the building there were people from all races.
But what made them state in shock was the fact that the building was built using Durasteel.
This metal can only be found in planets of Tier 4 and 5. These planets are extremely dangerous and the process to extract the ore and make it an ingot is extremely expensive to do it large quantity. The only ones who could do something like this would be...
”Letheia Corporation...” John saw the logo of the Corporation on top of the building.
John and Lenny started walking toward the building.
”Welcome...” The moment they approached the building they were greeted by a female Hylotl wearing the usual red Letheia Corporation's uniform, that was standing by the entrance of the building.
The Hylotl are a semi-aquatic race with trinocular vision, highly-adaptable genetics and a relatively short lifespan, which over the generations has led them from being a strictly land-based species to one that can live comfortably in aquatic environments, though they still lack the ability to breathe underwater. They have a long and rich history of art, science, and philosophy, with reverence for tradition and meditation. Their culture style very much resembles the Japanese from the Old Earth Era, the era whereas the planet Earth was divided by multiples nations that were constantly in conflict.
”Can I have a look at your identification card.” The female Hylotl politely asked with a friendly smile on her face.
”Identification cards?” John asked.
”Oh?” The female exclaimed in surprise.
”It's our first time here, we know nothing,” John explained. Lenny on the side merely nodded and kept looking around.
”It's rare for us to have new visitors.” The female Hylotl gave a slight bow toward them, ”If you sir fallow me, I will bring you to the administration office to have your identification cards made.” She signaled to two guards that were by the entrance and they began following the female Hylotl, John, and Lenny.
John curiously glanced at the security members. They were using full armors with the helmet so John wasn't able to see how they looked, but what caught his eyes were the armors.
The armors were made of Durasteel and then painted in red, armors Tier 4. The Assault Rifle in their hands were also made of Durasteel and thus they were of Tier 4 as well.
The Letheia Corporation sure was big and powerful, the building, the armors and the weapons of their securities were all made with Durasteel.
”So... What's up with this place?” Lenny couldn't hold anymore and asked the female Hylotl.
”This building was built by the Letheia Corporation a few dozens of years ago.” She started to slowly explain, ”This Dimension is detached from our Universe. The only way to enter here is by what we call Ancient Gateways. We don't know the origin of this Gates or the origin of this place, but there is a person that might know. The researcher that lives in the Ark Ruins just past the Outpost. Well... Anyway, this place became a hub for Explorers, Mercenaries and businessman since you can easily reach here from any Ancient Gateway in the Universe. Here you can find all types of services and products from any place across the Universe.” She stopped and pointed toward a few shops, ”Look at those, Terramart, 2-Stop Teleshop, Infinity Express, Frogg Furnishing, etc. Various shops belonging to various people from all the races. Those are just the shops that have the license to sell their product here. At the back and under this complex you can find more and strange products from unlicensed shops, but they aren't as reliable as the ones you find in this complex.”
John looked around amazed by the sight. Neon signs and huge holographic screens playing advertisements everywhere. Crowds of people walking by and curiously staring at John and Lenny from time to time. There were more than 4 hundred people inside the Shopping Complex. It was a rare sight to see Florans and Hylotl friendly talking to each other despite their bloody past. There were even a few Novakids walking by.
”The Shopping Complex has 4 floors whereas only the 3 first ones are only for shops,” She said, ”The fourth one is where the administration office is located, that's our destination.”
They got into the elevator and went to the fourth floor.
”Hello, Itsuki” When they entered at the administration office the middle-aged Hylotl at the reception greeted the female Hylotl.
”Hello, Tepei” Itsuki greeted back.
”What we got here? Troublemakers?” The middle-aged man, Tepei, glanced at John and Lenny.
”No sir, they are newcomers.” Itsuki calmly explained.
”Oh? That's quite rare.” Tepei was also surprised to see newcomers, he stood up and welcomed them, ”Welcome to Ark Outpost, gentlemen.” Then he continued and introduced himself, ”I'm the Administrator of this Outpost, you can call me Tepei.”