The Vault-Day Twenty Six

ORBIT, SCORIX 79, LOCAL DAY 404, LOCAL YEAR 1551

    I woke up to see a orange marble, with a translucent violet cloak, that my ship was orbiting. I ate breakfast, and asked Antonio, "Tell me about Scorix 79, smart boy."

    Antonio explained, "Scorix 79 is a very young planet-if you are talking geologically, sweet girl. It has formed only a few million years ago, and is thus a site of frequent collisions, and its surface is a searing ocean of lava, which is expected to gradually cool down and form tectonic plates. Also, its atmosphere is toxic, so I recommend highly against breathing it in. However, Scorix 79 does have some life-in the form of microorganisms that are resistant to the extremes of this world. Over the eons, scientists have projected that it will cool down, increase in mass and gravity, and gain an atmosphere that is breathable to organisms that don't like cyanide." He paused before explaining, "Of course, we don't have millions of years to wait, and the Orange Key is hidden somewhere in the lava sea, but I've heard that our spaceship needs water-and you have to turn to a planet where you got to buy it, because it's too hot for liquid water to exist."

    I asked, "Wait, this planet's a colony?"

    Antonio answered, "Yes. Sapients have built towers that float on the lava sea, and are sealed over to contain a nice, cool, non-poisonous atmosphere. Spaceships can enter and leave these towers, without letting the deadly air in, due to plasma doors. As the primal lava seas gradually solidify, these towers will help with the formation of tectonic plates, and if I am to believe it, the few sapient species that can survive Scorix 79's primal conditions, comparable to Earth during its first billion years, like having a fun lava swim outside the towers." He then continued, "You need a DNA Drive, that has been derived from the Fire Vole of Daikuban. The Fire Vole is capable of creating and storing hydrocarbons and oxygen gas in its front paws, which it uses muscular contractions to pressurize until the gases become liquids. It will, when it sees its prey, stand on its back paws, and use friction to ignite the hydrocarbons, and mixed with oxygen, spray them out as a burst of fire, cooking its prey alive. Obviously, it can survive the intense temperatures of its flame, so atmospheric contents and pressure aside, you'll be safe from Scorix 79's heat." Then, a DNA Drive popped out of the black box.

    I replied with a "Sounds great! Oh, and where exactly is that Orange Key?"

    Antonio returned, "You want to look at Pyroble Sanctuary. It is a large, spherical structure, which has a breathable atmosphere, designed solely to keeping the Orange Key safe-until it is collected. Once the Orange Key is removed, Pyroble Sanctuary will self-destruct, by letting lava into its energy-generating core until it overheats, and causes a powerful explosion. Oh, and with the water crisis you have, the nearest tower colony to Pyroble Sanctuary is Protoplanet Tower Omega, the final one of the colonies built to study Scorix 79."

    I asked, "Autopilot me to Protoplanet Tower Omega. ASAP. And I adore you, Antonio."

    Antonio returned to me, "I will, because I adore you too, Kaitlyn." And as the ship flew in the direction of Protoplanet Tower Omega, I ate the DNA Drive, and felt my body temperature rising, as my protein structure adapted to my new internal temperature. I then munched on a chocolate bar for carbs, and used the mirror to look at myself. Other than being hotter than normal, there was a X-shaped hole in the palm of each of my hands. I held them up, and watched as flames rose from the palms of my reflection.

    I then got changed into a fireproof bodysuit, with boots and a oxygen-tank and helmet combo, and I let the helmet's visor stay open. I also used the suit's belt to hold my gloves, which will muzzle my flames.

PROTOPLANET TOWER OMEGA, SCORIX 79, LOCAL DAY 404, LOCAL YEAR 1551

    When my spaceship had landed, I slung my purse over a shoulder. As I stepped out, seeing a small town on top of a hundred-meter-tall tower, protected by a dome, and with floats placed around the base for support, I noticed that I have seen the life cycle of a planet through the various worlds I've seen. The birth of a world, here, the development and evolution of life, as the climate changes, natural or forced, wherever I go, with each planet's challenges causing its organisms' various adaptations. And, the stagnation of worlds, with Wuanov, and their physical death, with Earth.

    I saw that there was a water tank up ahead, with a bucket and a tap to fill for. I then went up to the man running the operation, and gave him a radiant, sparkling gemstone, and he allowed me, "That stone you've got, young lady, will get you ten buckets of water!" With that, I filled up the bucket, walked it to my ship, and poured it into my water tank ten times. My tank was now a quarter full. I then gave him three more gemstones, and was allowed to fill my ship's water tank to the max.

    I felt that rhythm in my heart, fuelled by me finding the beauty in meteor after meteor falling into the lava sea. I sung,

"Among the sea of flame,
I find myself in the endgame.
My final scripted destination,
But not my last stop."

"Among the sea of flame,
I ought to step up my own game.
They cannot be allowed an victory,
As it will be tragic."

"I keep discovering new powers,
But why is it that I can't win?
Am I destined to fail?
Or, do I need more?"

    I then realized that I didn't have the time to sing, as I watched the events that will ultimately shape Scorix 79's landscape and climate forever unfold. I had to go now, but then I saw a familiar face in the crowd. "Ramon!", I yelled, "What brings you here?"

    Ramon returned, "Ramon find out where Orange Key. Ramon find Orange Key, after taking Kaitlyn out."

    I lowered my voice, stating, "You will try...", before creating a wall of flame at Ramon, and using Scorix 79's low gravity to backflip, as he dashed through the fire, and turned around as he realized that he was charging in the wrong direction. I then slung fireball after fireball at him, and Ramon was barely noticing the scorching assault I was unleashing at him, despite the dreadful knowledge that all seven members of The Queen's Court were leagues ahead of me. I did notice that Ramon crossed his arms over his unprotected chest as he charged into the wall of fire, and was using them to bat away my fireballs.

    I tried to get clever, and went to slide under the Minotaur, emitting an upwards stream of fire. He then backflipped, and tried to crush me as I rolled out from under him, before jumping at his weakpoint, surrounding myself with fire, only for him to grab me by the leg, and begin spinning me around, remarking "Ramon think Kaitlyn have lot learn.", which was hard to hear, as my ears were rapidly approaching and distancing themselves from his mouth.

    I returned, "Kaitlyn think Ramon have lot learn.", imitating his accent perfectly, as I mocked his wicked ways. I was then tossed into a building, and I thanked the stars for my helmet, because otherwise that would've crushed my skull. An older lady in flowing robes came to approach me, and I asked, "Who are you? And, why do you approach me?"

    The older lady returned, "I am Mystic Aeona. I sense that you are badly hurt, and need my attention." Mystic Aeona then gestured, using her hands hidden beneath the sleeves of her robes, lifting my body up without her hands, using some form of telekinesis. As she glided across the floor in a otherworldly manner, me in tow, Mystic Aeona explained, "I know many things, child. I lived in the universe before this one, where the laws of physics were vastly different. Due to having discovered a rift in time itself, I ended up, due to my experiments with the rift, surviving into this one, where I, operating differently than everything else, had abilities that others would see as 'mystic arts'."

    I returned, "I am Kaitlyn Briar. I have to find the Orange Key, before the Queen's Court do!"

    Mystic Aeona replied, "I am taking you to my house, as you have suffered a concussion, due to your battle. Your brain may never function the same again, after that incident, so I will heal you."

MYSTIC AEONA'S HOUSE, SCORIX 79, LOCAL DAY 404, LOCAL YEAR 1551

    When I found myself in Mystic Aeona's house, it looked quite occult. There were tribal masks taken from various planets hanging on the walls, paintings of bizarre worlds, the floor and furniture were covered with a variety of symbols, and there were many books on the bookshelves. Mystic Aeona used her telekinesis to lift me into a room, and onto the bed in the center, and a variety of candles lit up around me, generating an pink light, sitting on the shelves. Mystic Aeona told me to, "Rest, Kaitlyn, and your healing will be quick."

    I asked, "So, can you take me to Pyroble Sanctuary?"

    Mystic Aeona replied, "Yes, I can teleport you there. As soon as I feel your soul beginning to escape your body, I will teleport you back, and you will have a healing session, just like this one. Tell me...tell me...what are you?"

    I answered, "I am the first-ever human-Deoxyvore hybrid. I may be the only one currently in existence, so while I'm tougher than I look, you have to be extra-careful to not mess this up, Mystic Aeona!"

    Mystic Aeona replied, "I will do my best." With that, she waved her concealed hand over my face, and the bed I laid on, while already comfortable, felt even comfier. I thought of how, whenever I was injured or sick back home at Earth, how my mother would personally look after me. She'd memorize my medical reports from my birth, and thus my unique biology, to see the best way to tend to my ailments. I thought of how much science did for me, a hundred years ago, and during the almost four weeks after a woke up on New Earth, naked, alone, and with only basic motor functions, such as talking, eating and walking, as memories.

    Oh, and the interim. Using a special fluid so that I don't drown, freezing, keeping me frozen, and thawing me in a way that won't kill me, and using a unique programming for my pod, so that I don't wake up in the vacuum of space. As Mystic Aeona removed my helmet, I knew that magic-or at least what seems like magic-will be what will do for me, letting me live, learn, find, fight and love. Love. Nothing stronger than love. Antonio's love for me kept me alive, kept me on the right course, gave me strength, even centuries after his death.

    My love for the galaxy (and him) is why I'm so determined to make sure that the Vault is only used for benevolent purposes. So that our advanced genetic technology is used to cure genetic diseases and cancer, save many species from extinction, undo the extinctions of some species, and more miracles, not create a army of gods that could easily conquer every single world. I then drifted off, ready to be healed.

TO BE CONTINUED...