Frustrated by the lack of results, Alex decided to settle in Oranienbaum, the location of the Seventh Legion. He wanted to be close to his strongest, magically gifted clan members on the southern coast of the Gulf of Finland.
He established a locale convenient for his experiments near the Seventh Legion’s headquarters, a deep ravine – known as ‘the field of fools’ for some reason – with the shallow Karosta River running along the bottom. It was a safe haven, close to the front where new magic spells could be tested. However, Alex couldn’t help feeling he was missing something.
So now what? he wondered, pacing nervously along the stream. His tumultuous thoughts darted, like water striders in a river, back and forth, back and forth.
Gazing at the mesmerizing dark stream flowing around the gloomy boulders, he failed to notice that he had entered the river.
Alex seemed to dissolve in this dark water. He spoke soothingly with the boulders and the stream, upon whose shores many people had slipped into oblivion.
The dark stream whispered as it rolled over the stones, Hypern, Hypern. Take it, take it… it is ours… ours… it is yours.
Alex woke from this trance only when he heard the ladies’ sharp, admiring cries, his eyes falling upon the inscription that appeared on top of the running water – the word ‘Hypern’, and the long dataset used by the Commonwealth.
Jokeiro, capture the data, Alex ordered.
Done, his mentor replied.
“What is it, commander?” Anna asked, astonished.
Alex stood for a while, then bowed at the waist and returned to the sandy shore.
“This is a hint,” he replied, joining a group of his clan members. “I have to go away for a while.”
Damn, I need to stop being in a hurry… It’s time to change my plans.
His companions shared confused glances.
“Just a minute,” Alex said, establishing contact with the ship in orbit. “Star Jumper! Ancient, attention! Initiate full combat readiness. We are going into deep space. I need eleven people. Pump the Intellectum-infused water into the tanks, as we will need it for our level-up.”
Yes, commander, the Star Jumper’s AI answered in his mind.
Next, Alex addressed the AI of his smaller, much faster spaceship. “I require the following Homo-42s – Gres, Talker, Rhombus, and Forester, as well as Homo-54s Flash, AK-47, Sofia, and Shizdets.”
The small spacecraft sped off to carry out the order.
Thirty minutes later, all his requested clanmates gathered around Alex.
“So, friends, we are going into deep space to find the ship of the ancients. This is a priceless resource, especially in light of our imminent confrontation with Admins. Flash, Gres, and AK-47 will remain on Earth. No objections!” Alex said, anticipating their indignation. “Judge for yourself. The distance to the destination is vast, requiring approximately two hundred hyper jumps. The journey will take at least three months. You must continue to hunt for Leach Nekri. Flash, you are in charge of sabotage and reconnaissance activities. AK-47, start training the youth. Gres, if the Admins contact you, try to stall for time.”
Gres and AK-47 agreed. Flash looked giddy with happiness. I love hunting and exploration. I will not let you down!
The next two hours involved thousands of urgent, coordinated tasks including every legions and team in orbit. Finally, Ancient reported on the full readiness of the Star Jumper for the raid at the given coordinates.
“Time to hit the road,” Alex said, firing up the engines of his fast spaceship.
Hurried farewells were passed back and forth. Most were eager to see distant stars, to make their childhood dreams come true. Alex and the crew rendezvoused with the Star Jumper in no time.
The Star Jumper greeted them as if receiving an emperor and his retinue – ceremonial lights, even a red carpet. Battle and service droids lined the full length of the docking bay.
“Attention! The captain is on deck!” The ship’s AI spoke. The droids clanked like soldiers, snapping to attention.
Wow. I’ve got goosebumps, Alex thought. The battle droids were impressive to look at, an inspiring symbol of their fight against the alien invaders.
Alex announced, “At ease! Everyone is in position. Prepare the Star Jumper for the first jump. Crew, acclimate yourselves to your new surroundings. I’ll expect you in the wardroom in an hour. Ancient, take action.”
Ancient called, “Attention, everyone! Three-second readiness for teleportation to personal cabins.”
Three seconds later, Alex stood within the walls of the captain’s cabin, smiling as he imagined the surprise of most of his people. Each of them had been assigned a high-tech cabin with a multifunctional bathroom.
Alex spent an hour in the shower, enjoying the elastic streams of water, relaxing both mind and body. Only the incoming notifications about the ship’s transition to hyperspace distracted him.
When Alex teleported to the wardroom, everyone had already gathered there. The ladies looked rested and peaceful, finally accorded a respite from the endless battles with the undead.
“Congratulations to the Homo-54! We are the first Earthlings to master hyperspace. Let’s discuss our missions in the deep space raid before we celebrate this event.”
The crew smiled, clearly eager to have some fun. Why not, actually?
“So let’s get started,” Alex continued. “We are journeying to uncharted realms of space to find the spaceship Hypern. We have the exact coordinates. According to Ancient, the Star Jumper’s primary AI, we will be making one hundred and eighty-nine jumps, and an equal number on our return. I believe it’s reasonable to assume we will find no survivors on the Hypern.” He blew out a breath. “Now I will reveal to you why I have gathered you all here instead of locating the Hypern alone.”
A chair creaked as a tall, muscular Homo-42 stood. “What for? Commander, I’m dying of curiosity,” Talker said.
Alex smiled, his soul warmed. Talker reminded him so much of AK-47. “Cool your jets, buddy. I’ll explain everything. As you
