Chapter 267 (1/2)
The progress bar did not freeze for long; it was just an illusion. As an observer, he subjectively felt that time was moving slower than it actually was. The entire conversion process took less than seven minutes. Shortly after, the World Gate emanated a soft glow and the fleet was transferred to another universe.
The scene in the home universe was still as busy as ever. Transportation vessels were flying to and fro around the brightly lit space complex and the World Gate. The moment the Petrachelys emerged, Hao Ren was bombarded with hundreds of advertisements from private travel agencies, soliciting for sales. The lively scene was a total contrast to the other side. The space peddlers dispersed quickly once they saw the shiny imperial emblem on the Petrachelys and the migration fleet behind it, knowing that it was an imperial convoy. So, before Hao Ren could issue a clear-space notice, which was stored in the flight’s main computer, the space had been cleared out. The entire place was quiet. However, the migration fleet behind the Petrachelys started spamming the public channel. “Please give way, please give way. Imperial convoy, imperial convoy…”
“Please give way, we are on a special mission. Star Voyager is on an imperial mission…”
“This is Draconis Lux, we are a business partner of the Empire, please give way…”
“883, dual-use, multi-purpose spaceship, we have a long history and we are realiable…”
Hao Ren stomped his feet and pointed at the captains behind him. “Holy sh*t, how could you do this?”
883 guffawed. “Don’t look at me, we aren’t violating any laws…”
Hao Ren allowed his MDT to set their course for Peatopia, the birth place of Lil Pea and he engaged the autopilot. The Petrachelys led the migration fleet and sped away from the World Gate. Meanwhile, Lily had sauntered back to the cockpit without Hilda. Hao Ren was curious, so he asked, “Where is Hilda?”
“In the cargo bay, telling stories to the children.” Lily settled herself in a chair and started to yawn. “What’s so interesting about mountains, rivers and clouds? She kept talking about them, and I was bored to death so, I dragged myself back here.”
Hao Ren understood. He knew what Hilda was thinking. He just smiled and said nothing.
After a few moments of hyperspace travel, the flight’s main computer spoke in a cold, synthesised voice, “Autopilot disengaged.” The migration fleet had arrived at its destination: the planet with oceans and forests, rich in raw and natural resources, and most importantly, habitable.
In the synchronous orbit above the planet, beams of light started to flash as the massive migration fleet emerged from hyperspace and hovered in the area. The energy-field ships and the 11 isles, including Darklight Isle, which they hauled along emerged above the new planet. These space cities were circling the planet like satellites.
“The mass has very little effect on the planet’s orbit. No adjustment is needed,” said the MDT as it switched on a special device aboard the Petrachelys and ran calculations on how the floating isles affected the planet. “The first thing to do now, is drop the materials and outposts on the planet. It may be difficult for large spacecrafts to land so, the Petrachelys will take the lead. The landing site will be the same beach where we first landed. That place is pretty big.”
The Petrachelys accelerated slowly as it broke away from the fleet. Just as Hao Ren switched on the cabin’s broadcasting system to announce their arrival to the elves, Lily came forward and took over the microphone. The husky’s energetic voice began to resonate throughout the cargo bay. “Hello everyone, I am Lily, First Officer of the Petrachelys! The flight has arrived at its destination and we are about to land. Please ensure that you do not leave behind your luggage, children and wives. Kindly get off in an orderly manner, and there will be no ticket-check!”
After making her annoucement, Lily stood upright and giggled at Hao Ren. “So that’s how it feels! I know people at the broadcast stations sound really cool…”
Vivian scoffed at her. “Loser.”
Hao Ren was still in a daze as he wondered: so far, even the captain of the Petrachelys was only a cog in the machine. When did Lily make herself First Officer?”
The spacecraft landed without issues on the planet. Hao Ren and his company got off at once and went out in the open. Y’zaks took a deep breath on the beach, where the air tasted a little salty. “This place stayed the same. It’s just like when we last saw it. Hey look, the fireplace that we left behind is still there.”
The cargo bay was still closed, but the elves were waiting behind the door eagerly. They were waiting to step out into the new world. But before that, there was still one more step: three days ago, Hao Ren had asked Hilda for a few elven volunteers to undergo a comprehensive physical scan. The results were going to be used for the environmental adaptability test.
Although he ran a check using historical data earlier, he still needed a fresh test for technical reasons; it was better to be safe than sorry.
The MDT was monitoring the environmental readings, including the microbial environment. “No different from the last readings. Environmental compatibility is near 80%. Some people may get infected with local illnesses in the short-term but, as long as control measures are in place, there is nothing to worry about.”