Eternal Horizon: The Chronicle of Vincent Saturn (Eternal Horizon: A Star Saga Book 1) (11 page)

“Amazing…” Vincent was impressed as he saw a horseshoe-shaped ship towering above them with hundreds of windows.

“That’s nothing,” Gaia commented. “There are some cruisers that are miles long.”

“Are all these ships built for space travel?” he asked, not being able to take his gaze off the mechanical masterpiece.

“Most of them. Vessels as large as this can travel a distance of many light years without recharging. The anti-matter core inside is probably larger than your fist.”

“Are
we
about to go into light speed?” Vincent looked at her, barely murmuring the question.

“Yes. But don’t fear it, for each route is precisely calculated.”

“It’s just I’ve never traveled in space before. Well, apparently I did, but I don’t recall a thing.”

The team stopped before a large vessel.

“Here we are,” Spaide said.

The ship before them was nearly twice the size of the one that Vincent arrived in. Its bow was triangular with tinted windows. Wings extended to its sides, holding rockets and Gatling guns. Two gun turrets were atop the ship, and a cannon was perched above the cockpit. Five engines, each big enough to fit a moderately-sized man, jutted out of the stern.

After they rounded the ship to the back, Spaide hit a switch on his remote, and a ramp lowered between the engines.

“Welcome to the
Star Serpent
!” he proudly announced to Vincent as they began ascending. “The fastest ship there is!”

The gangway led into a rectangular deck. A round table was bolted down in the middle, surrounded by tall stools. Cabinets filled with multiple books and gadgets, a refrigerator, and a monitor were alongside the right wall. Next to the cabinets was a thick door to a vault. Eight compartments were built into the opposite wall, evenly lined up over a couch. Peering closer, Vincent realized that those compartments were, in fact, sleeping bunks made for space travel. To the right of the couch was another door, this one seemingly of a restroom, and next to it was a small window, providing a glimpse of the outside. Straight ahead was a ramp leading to the cockpit. Rungs protruded from the wall on either side of the ramp, accessing the gun turrets above. The deck itself seemed to be severely unkempt: bags of food, empty bottles, electronics, clothes, and even a pair of dumbbells were scattered across the floor.

A short droid on three wheels approached them. It had an elongated metal neck and a monitor for its head displaying a pair of bright lights. Four limbs extended from its torso. “Captain,” it said to Spaide. “Where are we headed?”

“Heradonn system,” Spaide replied, going past the robot. “Prepare the coordinates.”

The robot beeped and set its gaze on Vincent.

“Dagoneth is a very advanced droid,” Gaia explained. “He should store tons of valuable information.” She reached down. “Dagoneth, have you ever seen species such as this man?” She pointed at Vincent.

“Negative,” the robot replied instantly. “The likes of this creature’s species, homeworld, or origin are unknown to my databank.”

Vincent scoffed. “Surprising.”

“Sorry,” Gaia said, showing signs of shame at the fact that she still had doubts about Vincent’s story and his alleged “Earth.”

The group headed into the cockpit. There was little space inside between the five chairs and the curved panel. Exander jumped into one of the front chairs and grabbed the controls. “Okay, Spaide, do your magic.”

The Dirsalian took his place behind the helm and started to turn keys and knobs.

Vincent sat into one of the three passenger chairs behind those of the pilot and the first mate. He could barely control the childlike feeling of joy creeping up his spine. His situation and the headache no longer bothered him; here was something that outweighed his worries—here was more adventure.

“Everyone, strap on your belts!” Spaide shouted as the mighty engine roared. The panel lit up in multiple hues of neon green and red colors.

Vincent looked around and couldn’t find a harness of any sort.

“Lean back and push the button under your hand rest,” Gaia said as she saw him struggling.

As Vincent pushed the button, two belts slid out of the headrest and strapped him to the chair by crossing over his chest. “Cool,” he whispered, looking at the strange material that was flexible with his every movement, similar to the belt in Spaide’s jet.

“So much for you,” the big guy said, gripping the handles.

Vincent looked over and realized that the big guy wasn’t wearing any belts due to his monstrous size.

The
Star Serpent
lifted off and gradually tilted up. Vincent’s heart began tensely beating as he saw the rooftop move away. “This is it,” he mumbled under his breath.
I am going to space–and without any of the strenuous training regiments that the astronauts endure for years before taking off. Not even wearing those humongous spacesuits. Just like that, I’m going to see the cosmos!

Seconds later, the roof became the size of a plate. Vincent was getting sucked into his chair as Spaide accelerated. He could barely turn his head to look down but still struggled with every second to catch a glimpse of the planet from that height.

“Preparing to penetrate the atmosphere,” Spaide said. “Engines check?”

“Check,” Exander said.

“Boosters check?”

“
Just go!
”

“Hold on!” Spaide commanded and pulled a lever.

The vessel boosted forward at an immense speed, causing Vincent to feel the force of the push in his stomach. The belt completely solidified, tightly enclosing around him. Sparks of the ship ripping through the atmosphere surrounded them, and then in an instant, everything went slow as if Spaide had hit the brakes. But instead of flying forward, Vincent remained in his seat. He felt something he’d never felt before: a strange sensation of simplicity passing through his body.

He was in
space
.

“Turn on the gravity!” the big guy screamed as he was beginning to float over his chair. Exander hit a few buttons, the feeling of weightlessness disappeared, and Damocles came crashing down with a
thud
.

“Hey, be careful, you big idiot!” Spaide cried out.

“How many times I’ve told you to adjust this seat for me?” Damocles replied in self-defense, positioning himself.

Spaide turned around, furious. “You’ve got your junk all over the ship and won’t even take the time to adjust it for yourself? I'm the pilot, not the decorator!”

“Stop this bickering!” Exander shouted without taking his eyes off the control board. “What is it with you two, damn it?”

Vincent once again dazed off from the rest of the group. He gazed outside at the stars, random thoughts running in his mind. He already had too much for one day.
Just one day
. At least that’s how much time he thought had passed.
And here I am on my way to possible death or imprisonment with a bunch of aliens
. His crew—the people around whom he was slowly beginning to feel comfortable—were, in fact, a bunch of suicidal maniacs. His lips formed a smile.
My crew
. Somehow he was forgetting they weren’t human and seemed to look past that. This quick adaptation vaguely brushed him with fear—fear that he’d never see home again.

At the same time, he was wondering what explanation the government would inevitably come up with to explain his disappearance
. Or perhaps they’ll keep it strictly confidential?
Either way, no one would miss him. Adventurer. Swinger. Thrill seeker. One who worked his entire life and had no time for any relationships. Boredom made him pursue dangerous careers. Alex, his only friend, would perhaps lament a bit, but in the end, even he would follow his duty and duly keep his mouth shut…
But the excitement of exploring the galaxy…
The journey he longed for all these years was on his doorstep, and that was his biggest dread: for Vincent was not ready for it.

From up here, Sebalon 2 had another impressive view. There were few visible bodies of water, and the majority of the landmass was lit by its massive cities—which were larger than most of Earth’s countries. Thousands of ships soared to and from the planet. The setting sun appeared in the distance as it illuminated the surface of the other planet, Sebalon 1.

“It’s so advanced,” Vincent told Gaia, looking down at the wonders.

“It’s the melting pot of the galaxy,” she replied. “The Sebalon Systems were discovered hundreds of years ago, two planets with an adequate amount of oxygen and no intelligent life.”

“So whoever found it didn’t let nature take its time?”

She nodded and explained, “During the rule of the Galactic Federation, before the Republic, there wasn’t anyone to claim these planets. The rich folk from every corner flew here to open trade. The first planet, Sebalon 1, is an exotic getaway haven—one of the most beautiful in the galaxy with its crystal oceans and pristine fields. Only the wealthy can afford to live on that world. Sebalon 2, on the other hand, was the place where gambling was legalized for the nobility of its sister planet. Now, it’s the mega system we see today—a place where more than a trillion tourists flock annually.” She paused, glancing down at the planet, and then added, “Because of its vastness, the Republic can’t control who’s entering or leaving. With time, every criminal, pirate, and smuggler found their refuge on Sebalon 2.”

“Hence, it’s a perfect place for rebels to convene,” Vincent said.

She looked at him, her eyes sparkling, betraying the smile that she tried to conceal. “Yes,” she replied, “among thieves and brigands.”

“Everyone, hold on.” Spaide said, pressing the screen of a thin monitor. “We’re
preparin
’ to jump into hyperspace,”

Hyperspace
. That word sounded to Vincent like the winning chime to someone who plays slots in a casino.

“Dagoneth has the destination locked,” Exander said. “Heradonn.”

“Is that far?” Vincent asked.

“Several light years.” Spaide jumped in to answer the question. “It shouldn’t take us more than few hours.” He grabbed the control arm and pulled it back. “Here we go!”

The ship began to vibrate. Then, the planets outside, the stars, and the vessels froze in place and then were slowly being rubbed away, leaving blotted trails of light behind as if a watercolor painting was being washed off. Vincent was transfixed in his seat without even being able to turn his head. A spiral light, a wormhole of some sort, began taking shape in front of them. And then the stars disappeared, and they entered that spiraling void.

After a few seconds, the pressure stopped, and the big man got up. “I hate flying,” he said.

“Let’s gather around on the deck,” Exander said.

“Dagoneth, inform me if there are any problems,” Spaide told the droid that attached itself to the wall beside the crew.

Vincent didn’t believe what he was experiencing. He continued staring blankly at the wormhole, at the energy waves and lines of light that twirled around their ship. He unbuckled his belt and neared the window. They were bending space; it was unbelievable.

“
Saturn!
” Exander cried out from the cabin. “Get over here!”

As everyone gathered around, Exander placed a round device atop the table that displayed a red projection. The image was that of a spaceship that looked like an aircraft carrier. It was not even two feet in total length, but it was detailed meticulously, displaying the ship’s numerous towers, cannons, docks, and its superstructure that was in the shape of a triple-layered pyramid.

“The
Nomad
,” Exander explained. “The flagship of General Na’ar.” He paused for a second, clenching his jaw as he pronounced that name.
At last
, he thought.
I’ll finally get to meet that bastard. At last, I’ll be able to engage in the conflict I’ve been anticipating my entire life.