Arcanum - Chapter 169

“Yeah! It’s amazing how many facilities you have..” Jay agreed.

“It’s pretty amazing, unlike conventional ships all the Artificing upgrades allows us to dedicate more space for recreational activities, thus improve crew morale.” Jun smiled.

“I must admit the improvements humans make are pretty amazing.” Grace smiled.

“Well it’s a good thing the three of you got into Atlantis, sadly Aspa and the other three are not so welcoming to other races.” Jun answered.

“Is High Admiral Ruri finished with Ashley?” I asked curiously.

“Hmm not sure let me give her a call.” He said walking to one of those phone stations on the wall and began speaking into it. “Well.. Good and Bad news.” He said walking back towards us.

“Ohh no what’s wrong?..” Helen asked.

“The good news is… they are making good progress in whatever they are doing, the bad news is you’re still stuck with me for an indefinite amount of time.” He confessed laughing a little.

“Ohhh how is that bad news?” I smiled finding his candour amusing.

“Well to be truthful.. There’s not much I have left to show you.” He confessed.

“Well this might sound crazy.. But we could show you around Atlantis, High Admiral Ruri is on board anyways.” Jay suggested.

“Hmm that does sound like a great idea, but don’t I need to let Atlantis know?” He questioned.

“Nah I’m sure it will be fine, besides it would be like an all access pass.” I smiled.

“Well if you guys insist. I’ll make one more call let the security team know to bring your weapons and Daisy’s armour to the Command Deck.” He smiled walking to the phone station.

“Are you sure it’s going to be okay?” Grace questioned.

“Yup, if something happens to Jun. It might be the spark of something huge.” Helen agreed.

“I’m sure everything will be fine.” Daisy smiled disregarding their concerns.

“Remember what Ashley said to us earlier today?.. There’s a splinter faction of Atlantis students planning something bad, this could be bad if they find out Jun in on Atlantis with no proper protection or permission.” Grace explained.

“I think you’re right.” I agreed with Helen and Grace.

“I think it should be fine, the group are very meticulous, the last attack was so well planned and executed even Paul and Scarlet didn’t suspect anything and Ashley is a step behind them. So I’m sure Jun should be safe.” Jay argued agree with Daisy.

“That does sound right.” I agreed hearing Jay’s explanation. “On that topic should we also start some recon ourselves and try and identify the culprits?” I questioned.

“Yeah we should do our part.” Grace answered.

“Yeah it’s the least we can do.” Helen agreed.

“Righto.. So they will have your things ready for you on the command deck so let’s make our way there.” Jun notified us once he was done with his call. “Any chance you can take me to the simulation room?” Jun requested.

“Ohh you don’t have those in Aspa?” I questioned.

“We don’t sadly, is it really as great as I’ve heard?” He asked.

“Well what have you heard?” I asked.

“That it’s specialised rooms that can simulate and predict outcomes.. Makes illusions that feel realistic and it can copy past events accurately.” He described in pure excitement.

“Yeah its pretty good… we’ve only used it for two situations… recollecting a past event and a preprogramed simulation.” Grace answered.

“Yeah it feels very real it’s quite amazing!” Helen smiled.

“Please take me there I would love to experience it.” he requested.

“Sure!!” Daisy answered.

“Do you know how it even works? I assume it uses some sort of illusion to trick the eyes, but how on earth do they make it feel realistic?” Jun asked completely astonished.

“We have no idea either sadly.” I answered.

Opening the door into the Command Deck, every crewmen stood up to salute Officer Jun, “At ease.” He ordered them making them reassume their normal jobs.

“Officer Jun the Atlantis student’s belongings” A set of six guards dressed in black handed our stuff to us.

“Thank you and I assume they haven’t been tampered with?” He questioned.

“Nothing of the sort Sir we’ve personally kept an eye on them.” A guard replied.

“Great these five are good friends of mine.” Jun smiled and instructed us to take our gear with an open palm.

“Emilia can you help me with my armour?” Daisy asked trying to put on her armour.

“Sure…” I smiled following her instruction on how and where she needed help.

“So Daisy how did you get this armour?” I questioned looking at the intricate design and decorative patterns on it, “It doesn’t look like off the shelf armour.” I asked.

“I won it in a competition.” She smiled.

“Ohh what type of competition?” I questioned.

“The ones I’m best at.. Fighting.” She chuckled.

“Should have known.” I pat her head like a younger sister.

“We ready?” Jun asked seeing us all ready.

“Yup.” We all smiled back.

“Right let’s go.” He said opening the hatch the same way we entered.

“So Emilia?” Daisy whispered to me as we made our way across the bridge into Atlantis.

“Yeah?” I answered her.

“Do you really think Paul is going to be okay?” She questioned with a look of intense worry.

“What do you mean?” I asked her.

“Do you think he will make a full recovery?” She asked.

“Yes I’m sure he will be okay. He said he’ll be back to normal after a few day.” I answered her.

“Okay.” She nodded looking a little relieved.

“You really care for him don’t you?” I whispered to her.

“Of course! He saved my life!” Daisy replied.

“Have you ever you know.. Liked someone a lot other than Paul?” I questioned.

“Hmm not really.” She answered.

“How does he make you feel?” I inquired a little.

“My heart is always racing when I see him and when I’m alone or just being quiet I always find myself thinking about him.” She answered honestly like an innocent teenager.

“Have you told him how you felt?” I replied.

“NO! Are you crazy?!” She answered in shock making everyone turn to look at us.

“Don’t worry guy’s she’s just over reacting.” I laughed causing them to shrug and returned to their own conversations. “If you don’t tell him how is he meant to know?” I questioned her.

“I don’t know hope he notices somehow.” She answered looking more and more adrift.

“Trust me, he’s really blind when it comes to those things.” I laughed remembering how afraid he was to even confess to me despite knowing I liked him back.

“Have you ever liked anyone before?” She questioned me in return.

“Me?… other than Paul? There was a few others.” I answered her.

“What were they like? How did they make you feel?” She asked curiosuly.

“Well firstly there was Raj, he was a nice guy famous, very rich and was quite nice and funny. My parents wanted me to marry him, I’d say we was a good match but for some reason Paul really disliked him and well ultimately made me reconsider the marriage proposal and stuff.” I explained to her.

“Ohh no.. That wasn’t very nice of him.” Daisy replied hearing my story.

“I felt it was for the best, I was still very young at the time. I did meet up with Raj a few times after Paul and I broke up but nothing came out of it, I don’t know why but every time we met I’d always remember Paul warning me about him making it a little awkward.” I answered.

“Maybe there is something wrong with him.” She replied.

“Maybe.. But I don’t see it.” I answered, “Anyways the other one I met at University when I was studying to be a lawyer, he was nice and well off, but my parents wouldn’t have liked it, so it wasn’t official and just didn’t end up working out.” I explained to her.

“University and Lawyer?” She questioned.

“University is like Atlantis somewhere people go to learn and a lawyer would have been the thing I was studying.” I answered her.

“Ohh interesting, what’s was it like to be with someone?” She asked looking extremely interested.

“It’s nice to have someone you can rely on when you need, to stay with you through thick and thin.” I answered her.

“Do you miss it?” She asked.

“A little here and there.. Mostly because he’s the only person that I can confine to and relate to.” I answered.

“Do you still love him?” She questioned quietly.

“Who?” I asked.

“Paul..” She hesitantly replied.

“It’s hard to explain and very complicated. We’ve known each other for a long time, I’ve been there for him when he needed me and he’s been there for me. I’m actually not quite sure.” I admitted to her.

“Do you think about him a lot?” She asked.

“All the time. ” I answered her honestly but questioning my own motives. “Well the one takeaway I want you to understand.. Is life isn’t a fairy tale.. You’re still young there’s millions of people out there in the world, so don’t just keep your eye son one person.” I tried to advise her.

“Fairies don’t have tails…. I’m lost.” She admitted looking extremely confused.

“I swear to God…. this world!!” I cursed, “Okay what I meant, is love isn’t like those you read in books and stories where there is one guy and one girl and they are destined for each other.. Love takes work and commitment.. and that if you spend all your time chasing and waiting for Paul you might just miss someone that loves you and you could love him.” I tried to explain to her.

“I think I understand.” She nodded slowly.

“Daisy?” I asked her quietly.

“Yup?” She answered with a smile.

“Do you know if we get a holiday soon?” I asked suddenly missing home a lot.

“Holiday?” She looked at me a little confused.

“We get time off Atlantis soon like a week or two?” I questioned.

“I think so.. In the church we would often get a week rest after four weeks which coincides with big celebrations.” She answered.

“Ohh that’s great.” I smiled wondering if Paul could take me back to visit home for a week or two.

“Are you thinking of the other two.. Raj and Nicholas was it?” Daisy questioned.

“Not really.. Paul warned me that I can’t tell them anything.. But I defiantly need to talk to Raj about something.” I answered.

“If you had to choose.. Would you prefer home or here?” She asked.

“It’s hard, I have a lot of friends and family at home that I worry about, but then I’d worry about you guys as well if I was home.” I answered.

“It must be hard on you and Paul living in two different worlds.” Daisy said looking a little concerned.

“Yeah Paul did something to try and alleviate the worry.. But it’s still there.” I sighed.

“By the way do you know if Paul is seeing anyone?” I questioned.

“To be honest I don’t, I don’t know if you remember but after he saved me and the church adopted me I didn’t see him again till I arrived in Atlantis.” She answered.

“Ohh yeah sorry I totally forgot..” I chuckled, “Ohh crap I forgot..” I cursed remembering something.

“What’s wrong?” Daisy asked worryingly.

“Nothing wrong just need something.” I said to her. “Umm Jun?” I asked for his attention.

“Yes Emilia?” He asked.

“Is there a way I can get a few bottles of those drinks you bought us?” I questioned.

“Yeah sure, how many you need?” He asked.

“Can you get me like five bottles?” I requested.

“Yeah sure, once I return to the ship I’ll get someone to send it over.” He smiled.

“One for me to please!!” Daisy requested laughing with a cheeky grin.

“Noooo! I won’t make that mistake again.” He smiled.

“Hey Jun, just wondering can you cast spells?” Jay questioned.

“Sadly in terms of combat effectiveness I’m not great.. I am good with a side arm but I totally forgot to bring it with me.” He answered.