Chapter 126
Chapter 127 Voyage to Core Prime
The words caught her off guard.
Her Star Brain spoke the line, “It’s the thought that counts p>
Pffi!
Rhys let out a laugh.
Lyra dropped her gaze, flustered.
“Talk to Hadrien. Tell him we asked you to carry supplies, and he’ll pass the Credits along p>
All of their Credits in their Star Brains were locked away under Black Spire custody arryway.
Lyra waved her hands.
“If you need anything, ask the attendant covering my shift tomorrow to put in requests for you. I can’t take your money p>
“Money?” Rhys repeated the word.
Lyra pretended not to hear him.
“I’ll pick up fun little trinkets to keep you all entertained when I’m back.
“Also, the new attendant might not know all the ins and outs. Please be patient p>
Rhys stared straight at her. “Why do you always worry about everyone so much p>
Lyra smiled softly. “I just want everyone to get along peacefully p>
Rhys huffed under his breath.
She headed upstairs afterward to check on Rook in Cell 201.
He glanced over toward her, then turned away again.
He still carried that distant, uninterested demeanor, yet Lyra only paid attention to his condition.
The coarse fur covering his face had faded completely. Now he only needed time for the rest of his body
to recover.
Next, she made her way to Cell 221.
The two troublesome Sentinels occupied the left and right ends of the second floor.
She stretched her hand through the serving window. The synthesized voice from her Star Brain echoed out. “Did you hear me? You’d better not make trouble while I’m gone p>
Felix laughed.
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“Alright, alright…
“I get it. You’re singling me out p>
She’d skipped everyone else just to come warm him, hadn’t she?
Lyra typed another message on her Star Brain and reached in again.
“That’s right. If you honestly reflect on your behavior, you’ll know I have good reason p>
No more beating around the bush.
He was the one who constantly dreamed up mischief.
Tied for first place with Rook, in fact.
Though Rook rarely bothered moving these days and was far less difficult to handle. Felix was the one brimming with schemes.
Something soft brushed gently across the back of her hand, followed by a petty, light jab meant as payback.
Lyra recognized that sensation instantly.
She curled her fingers and caught hold.
A long feather rested in her grasp. She waved it playfully right where he could see.
Behind the cell door, Felix watched her pale, small hand and tilted his lips upward.
“You’ve taken my token. You have to come back just like you promised p>
Lyra rested her arm on the window ledge and made as if she would toss the feather away.
Instantly, a pair of glossy black wings folded around her entire palm.
“Hey…” Felix sounded displeased.
She tilted her head and locked eyes with the crow perched on her shoulder, a glint of mischief shining in her gaze.
Felix saw the exchange through his spirit animal’s vision and smiled.
He lowered his eyes, keeping her hand trapped between his wings. The smooth feathers dragged across her skin, light and ticklish.
Tap, tap.
Lyra knocked lightly against the metal cell door.
Felix shot her a mournful glance.
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He drawled lazily. “Theard you p>
What else could he do bu listen to irer?
After she came downstairs, Asher’s hesitant voice reached her.
… Are you really going out”
Lyra paused mid–step.
She walked closer and looked at him curiously.
Asher seemed far less cheerful than he used to be lately.
She nodded toward him.
Asher’s lips parted, about to speak again.
“Lyra p>
She turned. It was Jessa.
Asher’s gaze snapped toward her immediately.
Jessa wore an easy smile, her eyes sweeping over their direction, though it was unclear who she was watching.
F
Lyra understood for the first time what it felt like to step into a world far grander than anything she knew.
Her mouth hung open the entire journey. Every new sight made her eyes light up with curiosity.
Jessa, used to interstellar travel, remained calm and composed.
She explained landmarks and points of interest along the way
The view outside the shuttle felt surreal, as if a dark curtain stretched across the whole universe. Planets glowed with varying hues scattered across the void. Tiny flecks of light looked like distant stars, until they drew near enough to reveal themselves as speeding meteoroids.
Meteors, an incredibly rare sight back on Earth, streaked past the passenger shuttle endlessly, as common as speeding vehicles on a highway.
Lyra absorbed everything while listening to Jessa’s explanations, barely able to process all the sights.
Before she could take it all in, an announcement echoed through the cabin. They had arrived at Core Prime.
She twisted her head in surprise.
Already?
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The trip hadn’t even lasted long enough to finish a meal.
Jessa smiled and stood up “You’ll get used to it p>
Lyra rose slowly, still dazed,
Emehed
Stepping out of the shuttle bay, she froze again, stunned by the futuristic, alien landscape spread before
her.
Countless sleek starships lifted off and touched down, much like aircraft at a spaceport.
Uniformed staff stood atop hovering platforms, directing traffic and maintaining order.
In the distance, towering silver buildings pierced the sky. Maglev transit trains wound through the air like endless serpents, interspersed with hovering civilian vehicles. Everything operated in perfect order.
Lyra could not name all the different types of transport.
All she knew was that it looked breathtaking, almost unreal.
“Let’s go.” Jessa prompted her.
Lyra snapped out of her daze and followed, yet her eyes never left all the unfamiliar wonders surrounding
her.
They crossed an enclosed walkway. Identity verification was required before entering Core Prime proper
The security checkpoint appeared even stricter than the ones she had passed previously.
Nervousness crept over Lyra.
She had not forgotten her forged interstellar identification credentials.
Jessa noticed her tension and whispered to calm her. “Relax. You look like you’re carrying a neon sign announcing you have something to hide p>
Lyra forced a weak smile.
She was terrible at hiding her emotions.
And there were armed Sentinels standing on both sides.
The sight of their weapons sent a fresh spike of panic through her.
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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.