Sacral Cycle

CH 02 – Build Horizon (Part 02)

In the archival records of knowledge of the Solus Empire, the Almah solar system is located in the corner of the Andromeda Galaxy. It is in the Chain Path star cluster, surrounded by dozens of white dwarfs thousands of light years away. It is far from the center of galaxies and black holes.

Of the ten planets that the solar system has, only five of them are habitable and become a point of civilization. Fully ruled by the Solus Empire, it had a form of government similar to that of monarchy and colonial rule.

However, the system of government slowly changed after the War of Unification ended. Each region is granted conditional freedom in the form of the Vassal State, then Planet Jann is used as the main government center and universal policy determinant.

The Solus Empire had a highly advanced level of civilization, had reached the space era and was able to build an orbiting tower at Jann as a symbol of glory. Known as the Heavenly Tower, it soars high through the atmosphere, and is utilized for space ship transit points.

In addition to the five main planets, there are also several small colonies built on the orbits of each Region. Some use natural satellites orbiting around the planet as a foundation for construction, then used for orbiting stations or transit points.

Like flights in general, space travel is also regulated by a strict canon. Have a clear security protocol, safety standards, and transportation mode eligibility certification. Has a very binding provision and provisions.

While space transportation is not controlled by the government, the private sector is given freedom of operation as long as it has adequate certification. Supervised by the Security Service, then must have an operational permit from the Government Administration Agency.

As long as these conditions are met, private companies are given the freedom to set their tariffs and fleet numbers. The limited aspect of the government is only in the personnel (crew) of the spacecraft, especially about certification and capability. Catching the captain of the ship, flight attendants, technicians, even to cooks and janitors.

Due to these certification requirements, space travel becomes very expensive even for economy class. The majority are used by the elite, then some upper-middle-class people and local entrepreneurs.

In addition to economic and exclusive, there are also special space travel services that are limited to certain circles. Usually used by civil officials, regional leaders, or even regional rulers who will travel for service.

The dedicated space travel service leverages Spatial Spatial Sparking technology as its base. Tear up empty space using the method of shifting dimensions and information levels, then fold to slash the distance between two points.

The technology is also known as Spatial Folds or Spatial Folds. Identical to the phenomenon of folded space when the process of dimensional stepping begins.

For security and order reasons, the technology is monopolized by the central government. Can only be used by certain groups, arranged in special canons.

In addition to transportation, spatial manipulation technology is also used for logistics distribution of vital goods, mobility of confidential documents, and defense weapons. Managed by several government agencies, while the private sector is not allowed to know or even have the technology.

Certification and granting of permits are overseen by the Security Service, while the Senate and Nobles Sovereignty parliaments are tasked with regulating the activities of all operations. Fully controlled by a central authority.

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Like being bent toward a single small point, a spatial fold appears in one corner of the Almah solar system. Located hundreds of kilometers from the exosphere layer, it is beyond the gravitational reach of the planet.

Quite close to Maria, one of the natural satellites orbiting around Almiah. It has a weak gravity, a surface dominated by mountains and ice valleys, and cannot retain minerals in liquid form due to fairly low climate temperatures.

However, there are some points on Maria that can be utilized as an Orbit Station. Using the side of the moon that is always exposed to light and has a stable temperature, several administrative and defense buildings were established as a space shuttle transit point.

Due to the limitations of oxygen and biotic environments, the number of visitors who can transit at the Orbit Station is severely restricted.

Most of them can only stop for a few hours, then immediately continue the journey to another planet or down to Science.

The spatial folds that appeared not far from the Orbit Station slowly expanded, beginning to attract the attention of the merchants and workers in the place.

Some civil servants at the watchtower immediately activated the transmitter, opened the transmission to make contact and confirmed the visit.

Like fungal spores, golden particles gushed out from the spatial indentation. Filling the vacuum with a very large amount, then immediately whitened after undergoing a dimensional level shift.

A few seconds later, the white particles began to focus on a single point. Forming a space ship, enveloping its original form and beginning to lower the object's dimensional level. It emits a noise capable of propagating through a vacuum, using particles as a medium.

In addition, the ship also has two wide wings for stabilizers, a booster engine at the rear, and a cannon at several angles. Tends to be more like a space warship than a passenger or cargo ship.

Right after the Spatial Bounce process was completed, the entire electronic device at the Orbit Station suddenly went into a disturbance. The navigation system went awry, the transmission could no longer connect, and some devices instantly died.

After the Imperial Solus Space Ship disabled the main engine, all the devices on the Maria Orbit Station instantly lit up again. Some anxious technicians immediately checked the impact of the particles on their electronic equipment, whereas others went running towards the watchtower to inquire about the situation.

Despite being in the administrative area of the Scientific Region, the majority of civil servants working on the Orbit Station are Malin. It has the characteristics of thick land animals, consisting of Lacerta, Hermit, Wolfin, Tigris, and Ursa races.

Sean mostly worked as a technician, while the Patmia people had a role as an inspector. It manages the docks, keeps an eye on oxygen levels, and takes care of all life-supporting devices at various corners of the Orbit Station.

It has an area of more than thirty kilometers, can be categorized as a small town, and has the administrative authority of an autonomous region. It was run by the government of Science, but operational control was fully vested in the Solus Empire.

“Damn it! Control of the landing deck and the bridge is dead!” said a Civil Engineer while hitting the control machine. He was inside the watchtower along with several other employees and technicians, staring in annoyance at the starship that had suddenly come out of the spatial indentation. “Seriously?! The oxygen meter is also dead?!” he said with worry.

Although all the electronic devices were back on, the short circuit caused by particles from the high-level dimension caused some of the controls to experience an error. The particles also destroy some digital information, making a significant impact on device programs and station systems.

“Ga-Wire, much data charred!” said his colleague while checking the control system. Attempt to reset the oxygen gauge to ensure there is no leakage. “I don't think the air content is a problem, sir! Everything's stable! Only the dock has suffered damage!”

“How about our transit archive? Is that also charred?!” The head of the Orbit Station asked anxiously. He momentarily took a breath, then clucked in annoyance and muttered, “Why didn't they send the transmission first before coming? Are there any technical constraints?”

“Safe transit data, Sir!” answer the Civil Servant who takes care of the station administration. Continuing to check the transmission history, he found some incoming messages after the Solus Empire's spacecraft arrived. “Looks ... they do not ensure the notification of transmission and jump immediately.”

“They made that kind of mistake? It's strange ...” The head of the Orbit Station frowned. He sighed for a moment, then shook his head and said, “Alright! If so, let's ask for the appropriate compensation! Obviously this is not our fault!”

“You are right, Sir. It's not our fault ..” The Civil Servant in charge of administrative department immediately opened the document projection screen, then began to make an official letter to avoid accident charges. “May the Security Agency respond to this complaint and forward it to parliament,” he said as he continued typing.

From inside the station's watchtower, they caught a glimpse of the Imperial Solus Space Ship flying towards the western dock. Using the secondary engine as a mover, it makes no noise at all and is very quiet.

“You know their registration number?” The head of the Orbit Station started to get anxious, he had never seen a starship flying so smoothly before. It does not shake even close to the lunar surface, remaining stable until docked at the dock. “If from the central government, it is impossible for them to make such a mistake ...”

“Shortly, Sir! I'm being–!” The Civil Servant in charge of taking care of the administrative part was instantly silent, her face paled and slowly turned her head. He momentarily held his breath, then with a fearful look said, “This ... very strange, Mr.”

“What's up?! Just say!” The head of the Orbit Station was getting anxious. He immediately approached the Civil Servant, then checked for transit history that had just entered. “This encryption–! No way! Why are they using that ship?” he said anxiously after seeing the registration number listed.

“Pak, their registration code ...” The Civil Servant who took care of the administration took her breath in deeply. He immediately looked out the window of the watchtower, then with an anxious expression murmured, “Qua Fifth Level, the Main Authority Leader class. It's a private ship belonging to the Imperial Family!”

“Remove that letter of demand!” The head of the Orbit Station immediately retrieved the Data Cube installed on the control panel. “I'll welcome them! Don't act rashly if you don't want to get fired!” he said as he turned around, then walked towards the exit.

“Pak, it could be that they are not from the Empire!” One of the Civil Engineers spoke up. He momentarily stopped repairing the device that controlled the pier bridge, then looked anxiously while continuing to say, “We have absolutely no notification–!”

“Shut!!” The Head of Orbit Station immediately snapped, then turned around and pointed at the Civil Engineer while affirming, “This matter is beyond our control! Don't ask too many questions and just continue your work!”

“Ba-Good ...”

Everyone inside the watchtower was confused. They stared at each other, then shrugged and shook their heads anxiously.

Station Chief Maria is not a stump with a narrow mind.

As a leader, the man is quite open with subordinates and very friendly. That was why, the reaction he had shown earlier made them very worried.

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