Chapter 127
Chapter 128 An Unescorted Guide
The passenger haversing and stepped forward. The goque crept slowly onward.
The clever Lyra drew, the more her nerve spiked
The guard behind the seatining device immediately spotted her obvious anxiety. Sharp eyes locked straight onto her
Jessa squeezed Lyra’s hand and smiled toward the guard This is her first time on Core Prime. She’s a little overwhelmed by all the security
The guard kept staring
Lyra modded hard That was part of the truth, at least
Skepticism lingered in the guard’s tone as he spoke formally. “Take a seat
Jessa pulled Lyra forward. “You go first. Once you finish, you can wait for me over there.
Lyra glanced up at her, jaw tight.
An unfamiliar scanner waited before her.
She copied the motions of the people ahead and held out her wrist fitted with the Star Brain.
The machine pulled data linked to her device and ran facial recognition against the federal database.
Moments later, Lyra’s citizen profile popped up on the guard’s screen.
“Next”
Lyra breathed out in relief. She stepped aside, faint excitement glowing in her eyes after passing inspection.
Jessa gave her a quiet smile and sat down at the station with effortless composure.
“That scared me half to death p>
The flat, emotionless voice of her Star Brain voiced the thought.
Jessa calmed her. “Don’t overthink it. I wouldn’t have brought you here if there was a real risk p>
Lyra nodded. She scribbled on a notepad.
“I thought the ID was just for show. I didn’t expect it would actually pass official scans p>
Jessa shot her an exasperated look.
“It’s not a fake prop. I found someone with enough connections to add your profile officially. Think of it
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like reissuing legitimate documentation p>
Lyra nodded in understanding.
“You’re incredible for knowing people who can pull that off p>
Jessa siniled. “Let’s head to our lodging first. We can grab something to eat and wander around afterward. Tomorrow we’ll go to my brother’s academy for the showcase. ”
Lyra nodded again, letting Jessa make all the plans.
Her Star Brain vibrated.
She glanced down to see a message from Hadrien.
His timing could not have been more precise.
“Arrived safely p>
Lyra typed back, “Yes p>
Hadrien sent, “Stay vigilant p>
Lyra replied. “I will. Thank you p>
Sensing the quiet beside her, Jessa glanced back. “What’s going on p>
Lyra lowered her hand and shook her head with a smile.
Jessa’s eyes swept over her. “Want to grab a meal before checking into the rooms p>
Lyra agreed.
While eating, Lyra watched the streets outside.
The sidewalks were far less crowded than she imagined. Few locals seemed interested in casual shopping.
Autonomous hover vehicles dominated the roads. They would pause outside storefronts, wait for merchants to load packages, then depart once the cargo bay sealed.
Interstellar delivery service?
Lyra wrote, “Why are there so few pedestrians p>
“Core Prime is split into countless designated zones,” Jessa explained. “This is the outer district. Most visitors here are people like us.
“The bustling entertainment quarters are further inward p>
Lyra understood.
Once they finished eating, Jessa led her to the roadside to wait.
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197ssed they were calling transport to their hotel.
Her hunch proved correst
Riding an automated hover transit toward their accommodation, Lyra finally began to see larger crowds.
Not only were there more people, the buddings grew grander and taller, rising like silver blades driven into the ground.
After dropping off their belongings, Jessa took Lyra to explore the busiest commercial district.
Lyra suddenly wrote another question, “Would we see any Guides around here p>
Jessa shook her head. “It’s not that easy.
“Guides are the Federation’s most precious resource. They live protected within the central districts. Staff deliver everything they need, so they have no reason to wander like us.
“Besides, the White Citadel officials wouldn’t let them out easily p>
She turned to study Lyra. “So you see, their privileged treatment isn’t everything the Federation advertises it to be p>
Lyra nodded in agreement.
Resources …
Describing people in such terms, even to highlight their value, left her unsettled.
It reminded her of rare earth minerals and crude oil back on Earth–commodities nations fought brutal wars to seize.
Guides were celebrated and respected publicly, yet treated like possessions. Confined indoors unless granted permission, they lived as a bird in a gilded cage, surrounded by luxury yet stripped of basic freedom.
Was this so – called “precious status” truly a blessing?
The next morning, the two woke early.
After breakfast, they set off for Luminis Military Academy, where Jessa’s brother studied.
Compared to the quiet restaurant district from the day before, the academy grounds thronged with people packed shoulder to shoulder.
Jessa gripped Lyra’s hand tightly to avoid getting separated.
“It’s only this busy because of the showcase. It’s never this crowded normally p>
Lyra nodded.
A stranger brushed past her, then froze and spun around abruptly.
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But the Lowd was packed. Once someone walked past, it was almost impossible to find that person again.
The person’s eyes were full of shock.
A Guide had actually come to a place like this…
More people crossed paths with Lyra as they walked.
Some were ordinary civilians; others were Sentinels sneaking away to watch the event.
Before long, multiple agencies received urgent alerts: Core Prime Security Division, the Guide Protection Association, White Citadel administrator, and the Sentinel Command–all were notified.
A Guide had ventured out for a public event, traveling with no Sentinel protection.
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Ruby Walker
Ruby Walker is a rising voice in the world of romance and spicy fiction. With a gift for weaving deep emotions, sizzling chemistry, and unexpected twists, her stories are a blend of passion and drama that captivate readers from start to finish. Ruby’s writing style is bold and irresistible—perfect for those who crave intense, addictive love stories.