Massive, sweeping archways curve from floor to ceiling like the ribs of a celestial beast, built from alloyed frames polished to a mirror sheen. The floor is a wide stretch of matte-black composite inlaid with silver-lit lines forming subtle constellations beneath their feet.
"Welcome back, sir Auralex. May I know who these guests are?"
Witnessing the intricate machinery and the meticulously crafted interior, paired with the calming voice emanating from the walls addressing them, Thomas couldn't help but marvel at the sheer advancement of their technology.
It was miles better and ahead of its time.
There were even security checkpoints discreetly integrated into the entryways, no harsh gates or metal detectors.
They had their body scanned through biometric scans using sensor grids embedded into the walls and floor.
Adding the fact that they were merely witnessing the only place, Thomas and the rest couldn't help but shiver uncontrollably.
After watching the faces of Thomas and the rest, Auralex answered the artificial intelligence in the walls.
"They are Earthlings. Register them as non-hostile, AI"
"Affirmative."
Auralex then returned his gaze to Thomas and said.
"This is the lobby of this ship. It's not much, but it's big enough to house thousands of living beings. Usually, it is the AI that handles the task of identifying 'non-hostile' beings from 'hostile' beings. She can also recognize those who haven't been registered for it. You can say, as long as AI is still standing, you will have eyes and ears within these walls."
Thomas and the rest looked around the lobby and thought.
'It's not much?'
Soon, their gaze moved around to where the station was staffed by both intelligent bots and humanoid concierge droids, each with porcelain-white shells and softly glowing eyes, capable of speaking dozens of languages.
"Shall we?"
As Auralex ordered, a large, rectangular alloy moved under their feet and elevated slightly through the floor.
Thomas and the others were unsure what that meant, so Auralex proceeded to add a comment.
"It's not going to bite. Hope in."
Easing their worries, Thomas made his way towards the platform with a slightly excited which made the rest ride in.
They used this platform to venture towards various destinations inside the ship.
The deeper they delve into the ship's interior, the harsher the slaps they receive in the face about the unfair reality they are currently living in
However, they are still curious about it, about everything they would need to know.
Thomas, who couldn't wait to satiate his curiosity, asked.
"This ship… Is this a normal one, something you can see every day as long as you're a resident of Outer? Besides, what is Outer all about anyway?"
Still moving forward on the platform, Auralex remained silent for a while, lost in thought, before finally responding.
"Oh, this ship is a normal one. However, it's not every day that you'll see a spaceship as advanced as this. So in terms of size, it's average. How it was made, though, now it is a different story."
Auralex took a pause as he stopped in his tracks before glancing towards Thomas.
"As for the question, what is 'Outer', well, you can say it's anything that revolves around the Universe. The basic knowledge I could give you on it is…well, an order that keeps every living thing intact in the Universe, a set of rules that must be followed no matter what. In other words, it's something that holds everything together."
Thomas commented, "So it's like a community?"
Auralex couldn't help but be amused by that thought process and chuckled, "Sort of like it but not entirely."
Auralex then continued walking as he began to explain.
"Dwelling into matters regarding Outer is quite complicated, especially on a planet like yours that has just been influenced by it for a week. That's why I'd like to tell you about some important things, something this planet might need when going through it."
Auralex let out a short cough.
"In Outer, Information held a significant value. What you have matters, as it can be your weapon or a lifeline. So keep what you have secretly."
'Information…' Thomas mused inwardly as he began to take mental notes inside his head, feeling that Auralex was educating them without asking for any payment in return.
Thus, he was obliged to just listen.
But he was surprised when Auralex didn't add anything else.
Then that silence turned awkward as Thomas and Auralex exchanged glances with each other before the other one realized what was going.
"I see…"
Thomas began to have a taste of that advice from Auralex just now after receiving the quiet treatment.
"May I know if what you said at the broadcast is pretty much it? Those options are the only choices we have?"
Auralex nodded, "Pretty much so. However, you have to choose wisely because what you pick determines the information you'll likely possess."
Thomas understood that answer very well, and it's because he understood the heaviness of his duty.
Before even coming here, Thomas was given the full authority by the board of presidents for the Earth's fate in the hands of Outer.
However, even if that was the case, most of them had already decided what Thomas should choose among the three options given to Earth.
Still, Thomas wasn't going to listen to the old geezers that was only there to profit from the residents of Outer.
He kept an open mind.
That was until he saw Auralex's ship, amongst the others that he had, and explored its interior, where he could see the difference in their strength.
'I really wanted to become a Resident of an Outer, start everything from scratch… But I feel like Auralex and his army would attack us, upon realizing that our planet is not part of the Antavon Kingdom. Hence, I had no other choice but to choose the second option…'
Calculating the momentary benefits they'll be receiving from choosing the other option, Thomas let out a tired sigh and smiled a bit sadly.
Thomas gave his answer.
"I guess we have no choice. We would like to become an Associate of Outer, and become part of the Antavon Kingdom."
Auralex showed little emotion as he gave a single nod, his antenna subtly swaying in sync with the motion.
Thomas slightly bow to show his respect. "We'll be in your care."
…
"In terms of everything—whether we talk about technology, intelligence, and power—we're far inferior. I'm not sugarcoating anything. That's why being a Resident, not to mention being Independent, is a gruesome choice that doesn't benefit us on any angle. Being an Associate with the Antavon Kingdom is the least we can do to survive."
With a bored expression, Case watched the scenes play out on television, already knowing how it all ended.
Nothing had changed yet.
'Secretary Thomas, one of the important members of the Board… I knew him. Not like we talk anyway, but I believe he's a great guy in the past.'
Case didn't have any bad memories regarding Thomas, but that didn't mean he had to judge him as one of the good people due to it.
Who knows if he was hiding something underneath his face?
"Hahh… no use thinking unnecessary things…"
Following Secretary Thomas's decision to become an Associate, Case's focus narrowed to a single goal, and that is entering Earth's Camp, a training ground where professionals from the Antavon Kingdom educated those hungry to learn about space.
And the news came right in front of Thomas's mouth.
"Being an Associate has one of its perks. Be glad. Sir Auralex himself and his men are very willing to teach us basic knowledge regarding space and basic fundamentals to utilize a spaceship. I advise everyone who wants to change to ponder deeply. This offer is once in a lifetime opportunity you must seize no matter what!
"We call this Earth's Camp, which will be happening for a month straight. In this camp, everything is provided for; all you have to do is learn and earn results. If you have the desire to change your destiny, this is the moment to shine. Again, this is Secretary Thomas of the Board, I'll see you there, promising cadets of Earth."